Century-old Kotla police chowki awaits upgrade

The historic police chowki at Kotla, under the Jawali police station in Nurpur police district, continues to function in its original form nearly a century after its establishment by the British in 1926. Despite its significance and the vital role it plays in the region, successive state governments have failed to upgrade it to a full-fledged police station.

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Located along the Pathankot–Mandi National Highway (NH-154), the Kotla chowki currently caters to around fifteen gram panchayats in the Jawali subdivision, including Kotla, Rajol, Bahi-Pathiar, Soldha, Niangal, Trilokpur, Bhali, Jol, Suhani, Paddar, Dol-Bhatehar, Nadoli and Kuther. Residents of these areas have long demanded the chowki’s upgrade, pointing out that they have to travel 35 to 40 kilometers to reach the Jawali police station, while Kotla lies just 5 to 10 km from their villages.

Mangal Singh, the up-pradhan of Kotla panchayat, expressed disappointment over the unfulfilled promises. “The previous Jai Ram Thakur-led government announced the upgrade but did not act on it. Even Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during his visit to Jawali in January this year, reiterated the same commitment, yet no progress has been made,” he said.

Former panchayat pradhan Yog Raj highlighted that the police department already owns about 7 kanal of land in Kotla that could be used for constructing a police station. He also pointed out that a civil dispensary, also established by the British in 1926, continues to operate without being upgraded to a Community Health Centre (CHC), despite persistent public demand.

Locals lament that both the health and law enforcement infrastructure in this historically important area remain neglected, despite clear logistical needs and repeated government assurances.