Jammu: Having scrapped the contentious Article 370 and downgraded J&K state by dividing it into two Union territories, the Modi government is now planning to further erode Kashmir’s hegemony over the Jammu region by carving out a new administrative division from existing regions in the union territory.
Highly-placed sources in the J&K administration told ThePrint that consultations to create a new division comprising at least three districts from Jammu division and three from Kashmir — all part of or surrounding the Pir-Panjal region — are at a very advanced stage and a formal announcement may happen in late December or early next year.
“A decision has already been taken and only modalities are being worked out. It will provide fresh impetus to developmental activities in the hitherto neglected parts of Jammu division such as the Chenab Valley,” said a senior J&K government functionary.
“But, more importantly, it will further reduce Kashmir’s hegemony over the other regions, especially Jammu, since the new division will also change the demography of Kashmir.”
Sources also said that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is already on-board with the plan, while the ruling BJP sees the move as a significant step to end Kashmir’s hold over Jammu.
The issue was also discussed at a high-level meeting between officers of J&K and senior functionaries of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Kashmiris were ruling the state only due to the fact that they had more seats in the Assembly and had more power than Jammu region. But, it was BJP’s commitment to end the discrimination of the other regions,” said a senior J&K BJP leader, who didn’t wish to be quoted on what he described as a sensitive matter.
In the undivided J&K state, Kashmir region had the lion’s share of 44 seats in the 87-member Assembly while Jammu had 37 seats. Ladakh sent four MLAs to the erstwhile House. According to the J-K Reorganisation Bill, 2019, passed in Parliament in August, the number of seats in the J&K Assembly — Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory with a legislature of its own — will also go up by seven seats. The Centre has also planned to hold a fresh delimitation exercise in the state, which could further change the composition of the Assembly.
Also read: With no internet on mobile networks, Kashmir militants go back to using satellite phones
Regions that could constitute new division
According to the preliminary plan, the new division could comprise Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda districts from the Jammu region while Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam districts from Kashmir region could also be included in the new division.
Sources told ThePrint that while the ostensible reason behind the move is to provide better administration in the hill areas, the real cause is mostly political, one that could bring rich dividends in the shape of votes for the BJP.
There has been widespread demand from residents of the areas that fall in the Chenab Valley for a separate administrative and revenue division.
In February, the state administration under the then Governor Satya Pal Malik had decided to create a new division of Ladakh comprising the Kargil-Ladakh areas.
Also read: Kashmir’s new block chairpersons get offices but will continue living in hotels for security