SRINAGAR: In a significant move to honour the legacy of late Kashmiri politician Wali Mohammad Itoo and improve local infrastructure, Minister for Health, Education, and Social Welfare Sakina Masood today inaugurated the Shaheed Wali Mohd Itoo Memorial Bridge in Aadigen, Kulgam district. The bridge, built for Rs 1.43 crore, is a tribute to the late leader who served as Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and was a prominent figure in the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
The truss girder bridge addresses a long-standing demand for improved connectivity in the region, promising to ease travel, enhance road safety, and foster economic growth. At the inauguration, Sakina Masood, Itoo’s daughter, reiterated the government’s commitment to holistic and inclusive development, saying, “This bridge marks a transformative development for Aadigen and surrounding areas. It embodies the spirit of progress, ensuring better access and opportunities for residents.”
Wali Mohammad Itoo, assassinated in 1994, was a towering figure in Kashmiri politics. Born into a family of landowners, he joined the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and rose to become the party leader and the state’s revenue minister. Appointed Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 1983, his tenure was marked by challenges, including political tensions with the opposition.
In the late 1980s, amid the Kashmir insurgency, Itoo remained one of the few National Conference leaders who worked publicly despite the escalating threats. His house was grenaded twice, and he moved his family to Jammu for safety. On March 18, 1994, he was tragically assassinated outside a mosque in the Talab Khatikan district after Friday prayers.
Despite the loss, the Itoo family’s contribution to Kashmiri politics continues. Sakina Masood, who was studying medicine at the time of her father’s death, entered politics and has since survived over 20 assassination attempts while serving as a minister in the National Conference government.
The Shaheed Wali Mohd Itoo Memorial Bridge is expected to reduce commute times and improve connectivity for residents, a significant step in the region’s development. The event saw participation from SE R&B Kulgam, SDM DH Pora, Executive Engineers, and local residents, who celebrated the project as a milestone for the area.
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to prioritise people-centric projects, stating, “Our development efforts aim to address diverse needs and ensure a brighter future for everyone.”
