Srinagar: Resentment is brewing among people over illegal occupation of properties of Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) by land-mafia in connivance with some politicians.
There are reports that a prized patch of two kanals of property, owned by SDA in Bohri Kadal area of Srinagar city, has been allotted to political workers at the behest of a ruling party minister. SDA has failed to vacate the said land due to political interference, insiders said.
Similarly at the behest of another ruling party leader Terminal Building of the General Bus Stand Batmalo and around 16 kanals of SDA land in erstwhile Doodh Ganga Nallah, Batmalo have been occupied by the land mafia.
Elections are approaching and such instances would occur now frequently. The latest instance is the occupation of chunk of SDA land near Sangarmal City Centre on MA Link Road by land-mafia. A minister is supporting the cause of such mafia and even authorities at the helm of affairs seem helpless, one of the shopkeepers in Sangarmal City said.
Kashmir Economic Alliance General Secretary, Siraj Ahmed said that lawlessness is prevailing in Kashmir. The government on the one hand is allowing land-mafia to occupy properties illegally while on the other hand it forcing people to evacuate the land possessed by them legally, he said.
The shopkeepers occupying KMD stand in Lal Chowk are being forced to vacate despite the fact that matter is subjudice. Here Ganga is flowing in reverse direction, he said.
Another trader on condition of anonymity said that how is it possible that a group of ordinary Sumo drivers could equip themselves with bulldozers and would create havoc without having respect for law. The reason is obvious. Political leaders are encouraging such elements for their petty interests. It is a give and take. Today that leader helped them and tomorrow they would support him during elections, he said.
Vice Chairman,SDA, Mohammad Shafi Rather said that we are looking into the matter and action would be certainly initiated.
Meanwhile a top police official from Khoti Bagh police station said that police is in touch with SDA authorities. We had a meeting with SDA authorities and we are waiting for their signal. We have not arrested any person so far, he said.
A top administrative official on condition of anonymity said that few unemployed Sumo drivers tried to occupy few Marlas of land and we have not allotted any land to them. It is not a big issue and they have been evacuated, he said.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
