SRINAGAR: Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, has termed the recent deaths of two tribal youths in Kulgam as “unfortunate and intolerable,” stressing that those responsible will be punished and a thorough investigation must be conducted.
“Youth are going missing without reason, and later their bodies are found. It needs to be established whether this is an incident or an act of mischief,” Wani said.
The case involves Showkat Ahmad Bajad, his brother Riyaz Ahmad Bajad, and Mukhtar Ahmad, who went missing on February 13 while traveling to a relative’s home in Ashmuji. The three, who worked as labourers, never reached their destination. Showkat’s body was recovered from Vaishov Nallah on Sunday, while Riyaz’s body was found at the same location days earlier. The search for Mukhtar Ahmad is ongoing.
The deaths have triggered protests and demands for an impartial inquiry, with locals expressing concerns over the increasing number of missing persons in the region.
Land Allotment to Non-Local Investors
Speaking on land allotment to non-local investors, Wani dismissed concerns, stating that inviting businesses from outside Jammu and Kashmir is not new.
“Who said people from outside cannot do business here? Investors were invited earlier as well, but the situation was not favourable. Now, efforts are being made to generate employment, so what is wrong with that? Let them come and invest. We hope the Lieutenant Governor approves the proposal,” he said.
According to official figures, since 2016, a total of 6,816.25 kanal of land has been allotted to 213 non-local investors under the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2016-26 and the amended Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30. Of this, 6,408.25 kanal has been allotted to 205 investors in the Jammu region, while 408 kanal has been given to eight investors in Kashmir.
The policy has sparked debate, with some viewing it as an opportunity for economic growth and others raising concerns about the impact on local businesses and land ownership.
