Asif Iqbal Naik
Doda, February 14, 2026: Socio-political analyst Akash Manhas has strongly demanded the establishment of a Cluster University for the erstwhile Doda region, comprising the districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
in a press statement issued here today, Manhas said that students from these three districts — collectively known as the Chanderbhaga region, also referred to as the Chenab Valley — have long faced neglect in terms of higher education infrastructure. He emphasized that establishing a Cluster University would significantly strengthen the academic framework in the region, enhance access to postgraduate and professional courses, and reduce the need for students to migrate to other parts of the Union Territory for quality education.
He maintained that such an institution would not only improve academic standards but also generate employment opportunities, stimulate local economic activity, and contribute to balanced socio-economic development in the hilly districts of the Chenab Valley.
Reiterating his earlier demand, Akash Manhas said he was the first to vocally advocate for the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in the Chanderbhaga region. At a time when protests are being witnessed across Jammu province seeking the setting up of an NLU, he asserted that the Chenab Valley is the most centrally accessible and strategically suitable location for such a premier institution.
According to Manhas, establishing the NLU in the region would ensure equitable distribution of educational institutions and promote balanced regional growth, especially for students belonging to remote and mountainous areas who often struggle with limited access to advanced professional education.
He urged the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to give due consideration to both proposals — the Cluster University for Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, and the National Law University in the Chenab Valley — in the larger interest of justice, inclusivity and regional equity.
Manhas also appealed to public representatives, civil society members, student organizations and youth groups to unite and collectively push for these long-pending demands to secure a stronger and more accessible educational future for the region.
