Forest land grab issue in J&K takes new turn

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Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Nov 28: The issue of alleged land grabbing in a forest compartment in Shopian area of Kashmir has taken a new turn with senior Congress leader and Irrigation Minister Taj Mohiuddin urging Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad of the National Conference (NC) to set up a joint committee of Revenue and Forest Department officials for investigation and demarcation.

“I’m now running out of my patience,” Mr. Mohiuddin complained toThe Hindu, “as many of my enemies have joined hands to settle their scores with me…As the last resort, I have written a letter to the Forest Minister, urging him to close this chapter once and for all.”

‘Dragged into the row’

“These people have targeted me for the last thirty years. Sometime this matter goes to the State Accountability Commission, sometime to State Vigilance Organisation and sometime to House Committee in Legislative Council,” Mr. Mohiuddin said. He claimed that the allegation of land grabbing, involving 13 kanals of land in Sedav forest area of Shopian in the foothills of Pin Panjal mountain range, had never been established. “They are now settling political scores by dragging me into controversy after controversy, though all these accusations have been proved unfounded and malicious,” he said.

In Monday’s communication, addressed to the Forest Minister, Mr. Mohiuddin has offered to withdraw his claim on the land if a government committee proves that he grabbed any land anywhere in the State. “I have 18 kanals of propriety land there. Besides, I have rightfully annexed Shamilat land measuring 13 kanals and applied for its propriety rights under the Roshi Act. I have long back deposited entire amount of value,” Mr. Mohiuddin asserted.

Mr. Mohiuddin’s letter, a copy of which is withThe Hindu, implores the Forest Minister: “I shall be thankful, if you please look into the matter personally and get a joint committee of Revenue/Forest Departments constituted to demarcate the land under reference once again, in order to clinch the issue once for all, so that the records are put straight and unnecessary coverage through print/ electronic media, which tends to undermine my image, due to the vilifications campaign launched against me. Besides, if the committee comes to the conclusion that any portion of Forest Land is under my occupation as per the records — which is not so — the same may be withdrawn.”

Panel to be formed soon

Asked for his reaction, Mr. Mian Altaf told The Hindu that he would constitute a committee of senior officials of the Revenue and Forest Departments, as demanded by his colleague, for investigating the matter. “I am busy with Legislative Council elections in Srinagar. As soon as I receive Taj Sahab’s letter, I will proceed in the matter under law,” he said.

Earlier this year, the issue of alleged land grabbing had been raked up by some opposition members in Legislative Council. Taking cognisance, Chairman Amrit Malhotra had constituted a House Committee comprising five members from the NC, Congress, People’s Democratic Party and Panthers Party.

However, within days, and after attending some meetings, all three members of the NC-Congress coalition withdrew from the committee, leading to a barrage of speculations. Rather than making fresh nominations, Mr. Malhotra dissolved the committee, while lamenting in his order that the NC members had withdrawn and rendered the investigation meaningless.

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  I have 18 Kanals of propriety land there, says

  ‘Prepared to withdraw claim over land, if panel produces proof’

Web Link:

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/forest-land-grab-issue-in-jk-takes-new-turn/article4141868.ece