Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi,(DD): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has stated that there is no proposal under consideration to create a new police district for Uri in Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai made this clarification in the Lok Sabha while responding to a question raised by jailed Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh. The government’s response comes amid ongoing demands from local residents and political representatives who argue that a separate police district would enhance security and administrative efficiency in the border town, given its strategic location near the Line of Control (LoC).
Uri, situated in Baramulla district, has been a focal point of security concerns due to its proximity to Pakistan-administered Kashmir and past cross-border incidents. Currently, law enforcement in the region falls under the jurisdiction of Baramulla police district, which covers a vast area. Advocates for the new district claim that an independent police unit in Uri would help in better law enforcement, quicker response to security threats, and improved coordination in handling local law-and-order situations.
MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, who raised the query, remains in Tihar Jail since 2019 after being arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with a 2017 terror funding case. On Monday, a Delhi court denied his plea for custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session. Despite his legal troubles, Sheikh continues to raise issues related to Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament, reflecting the concerns of his constituency.
While the demand for a separate police district remains unfulfilled, it is expected that local leaders and civil society groups will continue to push for administrative restructuring in the region.(DD)
