Rajouri, Aug1: Tension gripped the Jammu–Rajouri National Highway near Nowshera on Saturday as residents of Rajal and adjoining areas staged a massive protest against the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), demanding immediate safety measures, adequate compensation for the victims, and permanent protection works along the landslide-prone stretch.

The protest was sparked by a landslide that occurred late Friday night in the Rajal area, when huge boulders and debris rolled down onto the highway, seriously injuring two local youths. The injured were initially rushed to a nearby health facility and later referred to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, for advanced treatment. According to reports, both are in critical condition.

A large number of residents, led by former Sarpanch Bawani Sunil Chowdhary and the family members of the injured youths, assembled on the highway and raised slogans against the BRO. The protesters alleged that despite repeated landslides and frequent rockfall incidents on the vulnerable Rajal–Chingas stretch, adequate preventive measures have not been taken to safeguard commuters.

The protesters demanded an ex-gratia relief of ₹10 lakh for each injured youth and urged the government to bear the entire cost of their medical treatment. They maintained that the injuries resulted from inadequate safety infrastructure along the highway and called upon the authorities to take responsibility for the incident.

They also pressed for the immediate construction of permanent concrete retaining walls, protective barriers, and comprehensive slope stabilization measures along the Rajal–Chingas stretch. According to the protesters, the area has witnessed repeated landslides and falling rocks, particularly during the monsoon season, posing a serious threat to motorists and local residents alike.

The demonstrators alleged that several representations had previously been submitted to the concerned authorities, but no concrete action had been taken. They warned that if immediate preventive measures are not implemented, more lives could be endangered during the ongoing rainy season.

The protest temporarily disrupted vehicular movement on the busy Jammu–Rajouri National Highway, causing inconvenience to commuters. Officials from the police and civil administration rushed to the spot and initiated discussions with the protesters to restore normalcy.

Tehsildar Nowshera and SHO Nowshera, Inspector Arjun Magotra, also reached the protest site and assured the agitating residents that their genuine demands, including compensation for the victims and the construction of permanent safety infrastructure, would be conveyed to the higher authorities for appropriate consideration. Following the assurance, the protesters peacefully dispersed, and traffic on the highway was restored.

The residents appealed to the administration and the Border Roads Organisation to treat the issue with utmost urgency, emphasizing that permanent protection works and effective slope stabilization are essential to prevent further tragedies on one of the region's most vital road corridors.