Kashmir News Trust #KNT
Under ‘pressure’ from the aide of State Agriculture Minister, Tehsildar Tangmarg did not take any action against the land grabbers while Deputy Commissioner Baramulla has sought an explanation from him for not executing his orders to initiate action against the alleged land grabbers who reportedly are the party workers of the incumbent Minister Ghulam Hasan Mir.
Authoritative sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the influential workers of Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) have occupied government land measuring 10 kanals and have erected shops and some residential houses on it which is located at Mulagam Kunzar Tangmarag area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
“The land grabbers are all the influential party workers of the Agriculture Minister. They enjoy the patronage of the aide of the Minister namely Muhammad Akbar. When Tangmarag Panchayat tried to initiate action against these land grabbers, they contrary threatened us with dire consequences. I myself received a threatening letter that was written on militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen letter pad and when I apprised the authorities about it, they maintained silence after Muhammad Akbar’s intervention,” Sarpanch Mulagam Tangmarag Ghulam Rasool Shah told KNT adding no action has been initiated against these land grabbers because of the blessings of the aide of the Agriculture Minister.
Reports said that Sarpanch Mulagam sought the intervention of Naib Tehsildar and Tehsildar Tangmarag however, according to the Sarpanch the officials felt the pressure from an aide of the Minister and did not stop land grabbers from encroaching on the government land.
A Revenue official wishing anonymity said that the said land as per official records is government land and it in no way is the personal property of any individual.
Reports said that when local Panchayat members approached Deputy Commissioner Baramulla he directed the Assistant Commissioner of the district to look into the matter while the said officer instructed Tehsildar Tangmarag to probe the issue and get the ‘illegal’ constructions demolished without any delay.
“Tehsildar Tangmarag categorically told us in a closed room that he can’t do anything as the aide of the Minister is the biggest hindrance,” Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool said.
“We approached Divisional Commissioner Kashmir who ordered for speedy probe and immediate demolition and de-occupation of the government land,” Sarpanch said adding that nothing has been done so far in this regard.
Meanwhile, DC Baramulla has sought an explanation from the Tehsildar Tangmarag and has asked him to clear his position which he reportedly has not submitted yet.
“I am on leave and can’t comment on this matter right now,” Tehsildar Tangmarag said while, Muhammad Akbar, the aide of the Minister told KNT that he can’t comment on the issue. “It will be better if you contact Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar,” he said.
Naib Tehsildar Tangmarag Farooq Ahmed said that nobody will be allowed to occupy the government land. [KNT]
