Srinagar, Mar 29 (Reporter) The “closure” of special cells for women in Jammu and Kashmir has sparked widespread condemnation with political leaders and civil society organisations urging immediate intervention to restore and institutionalise these critical support units. The J & K government has already requested the National Commission for Women to extend its special cells by at least a year. The funding for these cells is set to stop after March 31. Peoples Democratic Party Legislative Party leader, Waheed Parra expressed serious concern over the abrupt discontinuation of special cells for women, calling it a reckless decision that endangers the lives of vulnerable women. In a statement, Parra said that the special cells, established in 2021 under the “Violence-Free Home—A Woman’s Right initiative,” were instrumental in providing support to victims of domestic and other forms of violence. However, their funding, provided by the NCW, is set to end with the close of the financial year, leaving their future in limbo and raising concerns over the government’s commitment to women’s safety in J&K. “Shutting down special cells for Women in J&K is a grave mistake. These cells have helped hundreds of women survive violence, and we continue to receive calls for their restoration. This reflects the apathy of the administration towards the suffering of women in our region,” he said. Parra urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo, and National Commission for Women to immediately restore and institutionalize these cells, ensuring they remain operational and effectively address gender-based violence. He further added that over the past four years, these cells have recorded nearly 10,000 cases of violence, offering legal, social, and psychological support to survivors. “The shutting down of these cells raises serious questions about the government’s priorities and whether women's issues are being deliberately sidelined,” he said. Parra emphasized that the dismantling of these Cells reflects a broader pattern of governance failures in J&K, where essential social welfare initiatives are being neglected or discontinued. He accused the administration of failing to prioritize women’s rights and safety, calling it yet another example of how the central government and the UT administration are failing the people of J&K. “The government must act swiftly to preserve these cells. We cannot afford to abandon women who are in distress. I urge the Chief Minister to immediately intervene and ensure the continuation of these crucial support centres,” he asserted. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Saturday wrote to the NCW, seeking immediate intervention to restore and institutionalise the Special Cells. The association warned that the sudden discontinuation, due to the NCW’s withdrawal of funding, jeopardizes the safety and well-being of thousands of women relying on these services for protection and assistance. National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that despite the project's impact, the NCW’s decision to withdraw funding has put thousands of women at risk, leaving them without support. He stressed that the abrupt shutdown of these special cells is a severe setback in the fight against gender-based violence, forcing many victims to abandon their cases mid-process...////...