Srinagar: Members of the Civil Society Forum Handwara on Wednesday staged a silent protest at Chogal, urging authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to immediately restart construction of the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara, a project stalled for nearly a year and a half.

Protesters said the prolonged delay has deprived residents of a much-needed healthcare facility, worsening the strain on already limited medical infrastructure in Handwara and its adjoining areas.

Mudasir Tantray, one of the protest participants, said the halt in construction was causing immense hardship to the local population. 'The prolonged halt is causing immense hardship to the local population, who are in urgent need of better medical infrastructure,' he said.

The Civil Society Forum urged authorities to ensure immediate resumption of all construction activities at the Chogal site. Another participant, Liyakat Ali Khan, stressed that timely completion of the GMC was vital for strengthening the region's healthcare system. 'It is the need of the hour that work at the Chogal site resumes without further delay,' he said.

The Forum warned that if work does not resume within ten days, a stronger and widespread agitation would be launched. The planned protest campaign will be supported by the Traders Federation, Transport Federation, Druggists and Chemists Association, and several other local groups.

Participants reaffirmed their resolve to continue peaceful demonstrations until the long-pending project is completed, emphasizing that Handwara's healthcare needs can no longer be ignored.