Public outcry forces SED to partially reverse Dy CEO Office relocation in Shopian

SHOPIAN — In response to massive public outrage and a complete shutdown in Shopian town two days before, the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department (SED) has partially modified its earlier controversial order that had shifted the Deputy Chief Education Officer (Dy CEO) Office from the district headquarters to Chitragam.

As per the revised order issued on Friday, a copy of which lies with the news agency KNO, the Dy CEO Shopian shall now work for three days each week at both Shopian and Chitragam (Sub-division Zainapora).

Similarly, the Dy CEO Kulgam will split weekly duties between Kulgam and D.H. Pora. The modification is stated to be “in the interest of administration and till further orders.”

The move comes just days after massive resentment erupted in Shopian over Government Order No. 510-JK (Edu) of 2025, dated July 7, which had announced the relocation of the Dy CEO Shopian’s office entirely to Chitragam.

On July 23, Shopian witnessed a complete shutdown, with markets closed and public transport off the roads for half a day.

The protest was spearheaded by the All Party District Development Forum Shopian, a coalition of political parties, trade bodies, transporters, students, fruit growers, and civil society organizations.

Prominent leaders, including MLA Shopian Advocate Shabir Ahmad Kullay, former MLA Aijaz Mir, Apni Party’s Advocate Gowhar, BJP’s Raja Wasim, and DDC Raja Waheed led a massive march towards the DC Office, where a memorandum listing key demands was submitted.