Land Row Sparks Clash Between Two LOC Villages

Kargil: Residents of Latoo and Karkitchoo villages near the Line of Control (LOC) here clashed Monday over a land dispute resulting in the injuries to at least four people. 
According to the eyewitnesses, early in the morning residents of Karkitchoo village marched towards Latoo and cut off its water supply. This infuriated Latoo residents who resented the action and charged at the Karktchoo villagers.
The resultant clash left four people, including two women injured. The injured people were shifted to the district hospital Kargil.
Meanwhile, District Administration, police and the army rushed to the spot and controlled the situation.
Residents of Karkitchoo blamed Latoo of occupying their land and accuse administration of supporting occupiers.
“The Government, deputy commissioner and the police is supporting Latoo people and they have occupied our land and now injured our people”, alleged Akber Ali, a resident from Karkitchoo.
On the other hand Asgar Ali, a resident of Latoo village  rejected the allegation and said, “The court has given verdict in favour of Latoo villagers after 19 years of struggle”.
He further said that the representative of Karkitchoo village had earlier warned deputy commissioner Kargil that they will “forcefully stop their water connection”.
Earlier on 30th of July hundreds of women and children marched towards the Line of Control at Latoo village after a row broke out over laying of water pipeline.  The villagers reached the last post of Indian army and wanted to settle at Draylung village, where from they were shifted in 1965.But the army on duty stopped them from moving forward.
Commander 16 Maratha who stopped the villagers  convinced them to remain calm. 
According to the sources the commander assured the villagers that he will allow the people after the local administration reached their.
According to the residents of Village Latoo, “Few days back Chairman J&K Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali had provided them some pipes for fetching drinking water for the village from an available source which they have discovered of their own. But the villagers of Karkitchoo raised objection and appealed to the deputy commissioner Kargil and demanded removal of the pipes until the court gives final verdict on the ending dispute.
Sources said succumbing to pressure DC Kargil ordered removal of pipes leading to protests by Latoo villagers.
The dispute was settled after in charge additional deputy commissioner Kacho Mohammad Turab Shah along with Tehsiladr Kargil Mohammad Saleem Wazir visited the spot and assured the protesters that deputy commissioner himself would visit to listen their grievances.
Pertinent to mention that the residents of Latoo were shifted from Draylung village located at the last point of the line of control during 1965 war between India and Pakistan, where Indian army has installed their pickets. 
The government settled the villagers of Draylung on a dry plateau known as Latoo. However surrounding villages have had objected to settlement eversincme leaving Latoo villagers in lurch.