Sopore, July 14: In a renewed push for the long-standing demand of district status for Sopore, noted social activist Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Bhat from Tarzoo Sopore is set to lead a symbolic Padayatra from Sopore to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Baramulla on Monday.
Dr. Manzoor Ahmad said the people of Sopore have long been denied their rightful administrative status despite having significant population and essential infrastructure, including a District Police Line and Additional Deputy Commissioner’s post
Manzoor further said that he will first seek permission from district admin if permitted will march from sopore to Baramulla demanding district status for Sopore.
“Granting district status will bring administrative ease and unlock developmental opportunities for the region,” Dr. Bhat said, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and concerned officials to take immediate steps in this direction.
Dr. Manzoor Ahmad, a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Barkatullah University Bhopal, is a prominent figure in the area. He had contested the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections from Sopore as a candidate of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference.
The Padayatra is expected to see participation from members of civil society, local youth, and activists from the area, all joining in to raise the long-pending demand.