SRINAGAR: MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali, accused officials of the Forest Department of harassing local residents and demanded an immediate inquiry into the alleged misconduct of a Range Officer.
Raising the issue during the ongoing session of the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Ali alleged that Forest Department officials have been repeatedly targeting ordinary people under the pretext of enforcement actions. “Forest officers are harassing people. I had raised this issue in the previous session as well, but no action has been taken so far,” he said.
The MLA remarked that such incidents of public harassment were unheard of during the previous administration under the Lieutenant Governor. “Since this government took charge, officers have started harassing people regularly,” he asserted, calling for strict accountability within the department.
Ali urged the government to order a formal inquiry against the concerned Range Officer and take immediate corrective measures to ensure that no citizen is wrongfully intimidated or exploited in the name of forest protection.
