Sumbal: Dozens of tipper owners and contractors in the Sumbal area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district staged a protest, accusing a former sarpanch of Nesbal of systematic harassment, extortion, and intimidation.
Chanting slogans, the protesters alleged that Rather Mehraj, had unleashed a reign of fear in the area by threatening contractors at worksites, forcibly demanding money, and obstructing daily operations. “He openly threatens to burn our tippers if we don’t pay up. Is this how democracy works?” said one furious tipper operator, visibly shaken by the ordeal.
According to the demonstrators, Mehraj’s alleged extortion racket was being routed through his wife’s bank account. “Whenever he asked for money, we were told to transfer it to his wife’s account. We have bank transaction records and WhatsApp chats to prove it,” said a local contractor, waving screenshots before assembled media.
Adding to the outrage were allegations that Mehraj is already facing multiple police cases, including those related to extortion, fraudulent electricity concessions, and fake job appointments. “With fresh evidence now in the public domain, his criminal conduct stands fully exposed,” the contractors alleged.
What has further incensed the public is Mehraj’s recent reentry into the Bharatiya Janata Party. Protesters called on BJP leaders, particularly General Secretary Ashok Koul, to immediately expel him, warning that his association was damaging the party’s credibility on the ground. “Is this the kind of leadership BJP wants to promote? He’s turning governance into gangsterism,” said an enraged contractor.
Some protesters claimed that the accused former Sarpanch cut down over 600 walnut trees for his own benefit.
There were repeated calls for strong legal action against Mehraj, with demonstrators urging Police to take action against him under the law.
When contacted by Kashmir News Trust, Rather Mehraj dismissed all allegations levelled against him as completely baseless and lacking any merit. He claimed that the bank transactions cited by the protesting contractors were related to his work as a contractor nearly three years ago and had no connection to any recent activities.
Mehraj further alleged that a group of individuals was targeting him out of personal and vested interests. “Some people are simply angry because I refused to allow unauthorized tipper drivers to illegally extract soil from government land meant for a public park,” he said, maintaining that his actions were lawful and in the public interest. [KNT]
