After Govt directions, authorities issue eviction notices across J&K

People asked to vacate ‘state land’ on their own or face action

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday issued separate notices across the Union Territory, asking the people to vacate the ‘state land’ on their own, failing which strict action will be initiated against the illegal encroachers.

The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has learnt that the Executive Magistrates 1st Class across J&K have issued notices for the general public with regard to the encroachment of the ‘state land’.

The notices warned the people, who have allegedly encroached upon state land, to remove encroachments on their own within two days.

“If any person fails to remove the encroachment, the department would swing into action and people have to pay the charges of the same,” the notices issued by Executive Magistrate 1st Class in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Boniyar areas, reads.

Similar notices have been issued in other areas across J&K, reports said.

However, the move has been opposed by the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, who want the government to reconsider its decision for the sake of the poor people.

National Conference (NC) Vice President, Omar Abdullah said that retrieving the land from people, which has been provided to them under the Roshni scheme, amounts to betrayal.

The order issued by the government has also sparked protests in different parts of the UT, especially in Jammu where people have also been served notices by revenue authorities, asking them to vacate the state land or face demolition.

However, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Department of Revenue, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri couldn’t be contacted for the comments as repeated calls to reach him didn't fructify.

Pertinently, Bidhuri has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that all encroachments on state land, including Roshni and Kahcharai land, are removed to the extent of 100 per cent by January 31, 2023.

The Commissioner Secretary of Revenue has also instructed the Deputy Commissioners to develop a daily anti-encroachment drive strategy and designate Additional Deputy Commissioners as District Nodal Officers for coordination and efficient drive implementation—(KNO)