Hours after BDO shifted to Jawali, HC issues stay order

After 27 days of continuous relay fasting by residents of Nagrota Surian and surrounding panchayats in Jawali subdivision, the situation escalated when government authorities forcefully shifted the local Block Development Office (BDO) to Jawali, despite strong public opposition. The move, carried out early in the morning around 8 am, was backed by a large police presence led by the Jawali DSP and the tehsildar of Nagrota Surian. Protesters, under the banner of ‘Save Nagrota Surian Development Block Sangharsh Samiti,’ had been staging a peaceful dharna at the BDO premises.

The office relocation followed a government notification issued on June 10, which had sparked widespread anger in the area. Residents accused local MLA and Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar of ignoring public sentiment in facilitating the transfer of this five-decade-old office. Despite repeated appeals, authorities went ahead with shifting the packed office files and furniture into a Public Works Department truck and moved them to the mini secretariat building in Jawali.

A few hours after the relocation, the High Court issued a stay on the implementation of the notification until the next hearing, scheduled for August 5. The stay order brought partial relief to the protesting residents. Following the shift, disillusioned villagers organised a protest march through the town and held a rally at the main bus stand, reaffirming their commitment to reverse the office transfer.

The Sangharsh Samiti had recently filed a Civil Writ Petition (CWP No. 10908) in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, challenging the government’s decision and seeking revocation of the relocation order. The petition, filed by GS Bedi, Jaswant Singh and Sanjay Mahajan, was listed for hearing on the same day the shift occurred. Petitioners tried to inform the block development authorities of the pending court hearing and requested a day’s delay, but officials proceeded regardless.

Himachal Tribune