“A day after PM praised Kashmiri youth for their role in sports, Srinagar’s 70-year-old playground at Baghat Barzulla is being taken from local youth to build a Police Martyrs’ building,” PDP leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said. Picture: X/@parawahid
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the J&K Apni Party (JKAP) on Tuesday (September 2, 2025) opposed the move to build a Police Martyrs’ building in a playground in Srinagar.
PDP leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said the land for the Police Martyrs’ building has been a playground for 70 years.
“A day after Prime Minister praised Kashmiri youth for their role in sports, Srinagar’s 70-year-old playground at Baghat Barzulla is being taken from local youth to build a Police Martyrs’ building,” Mr. Parra said.
The PDP leader said while people salute the sacrifices of the police, “such a building can be raised elsewhere”.
“With 65% youth battling unemployment, drugs and depression, Srinagar needs spaces and stadiums,” he said, while requesting J&K Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and Director General of Police “to intervene to save this playfield and dedicate it to youth”.
JKAP president Syed Altaf Bukhari termed the police’s move as “deeply concerning”.
“A government department has taken over a piece of land in the Rawathpora area of Baghat Barzulla, a space that has served as a playground for decades for the youth of Rawathpora, Barzulla, Baghat, Parray Pora, Majeed Bagh, Sanat Nagar, Natipora, Chanapora, and surrounding localities,” Mr. Bukhari said.
He said the move has caused “disappointment among the local community, particularly the youth.”
“I appeal to CM Abdullah to intervene to protect the piece of land for the youth’s sports activities. This appeal is made purely in the public interest, rising above any political affiliations or considerations. Matters that concern the well-being of our youth should always be treated as issues of community welfare rather than politics,” Mr. Bukhari said.
He pointed out that young people in Srinagar were victims of growing menace of drug abuse and “providing them with proper facilities for sports and recreation is essential to guiding them toward healthier, more constructive pursuits”.
“I trust that the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of revenue ministry, will take the necessary steps to ensure that the Rawathpora playground is not only preserved but also developed into a vibrant hub for sporting activities,” the former Minister said.
Published – September 03, 2025 02:28 am IST
