Bandipora 1 October 2026
AIP Constituency In-Charge Sonawari Inayat Bhat has strongly criticised Sonawari MLA Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone over the continued ban on stone quarrying at Saderkoot Bala, alleging that the MLA has failed to fulfil his electoral promise of resolving the issue on priority.
Bhat said that during the 2024 Assembly elections, MLA Hilal Akbar Lone had promised that resolving the Saderkoot Bala stone quarry issue would be among his priorities. He said that a committee was subsequently constituted in 2025, but the issue remains unresolved.
He further said that instead of taking the matter towards a final resolution, the MLA is now talking about constituting another committee, despite the recent committee having already submitted its report regarding the classification of the minerals involved.
Bhat alleged that the MLA has failed to provide a concrete solution to the long-pending issue and said that the government should consider amending SRO-105 to facilitate the local people of Saderkoot Bala in carrying out legitimate quarry-related work in accordance with the law.
“The people have been waiting for a solution for years. If a committee has already submitted its report, there should be clarity and concrete action instead of repeatedly referring the matter to new committees,” Bhat said.
He further alleged that MLA Hilal Akbar Lone was attempting to politicise the issue, claiming that similar politics had been witnessed earlier as well.
Bhat requested the concerned authorities and the government to examine the matter on priority and take appropriate steps for a lawful and practical resolution of the Saderkoot Bala stone quarry issue, keeping the concerns and livelihood interests of the affected people in view.
