KL Report
SRINAGAR
Resentment is brewing amoung people over the illegal occupation of properties of Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) that have been allegedly occupied by land-mafia in connivance with some politicians of Srinagar.
There are reports that a prized patch of two kanals of property owned by SDA in Bohri Kadal area of Srinagar city, which have been allotted to political workers on the behest of a ruling party Minister. SDA till date is not in a position to recover that land due to reasons better known to the officials of SDA.
Similarly on the behest of another political leader of ruling party Terminal Building of the General Bus Stand Batamaloo and around 16 kanals of SDA land in erstwhile Doodh Ganga Nallah, Batamaloo have been occupied by land mafia.
“Elections are approaching and such instances would occur now frequently. The latest instance is the occupation of chunk of SDA land near Sangarmal City on MA Link Road by land-mafia. A Minister is supporting the cause of such mafia and even authorities at the helm of affairs seem to be helpless,” one of the shopkeepers in Sangarmal City told CNS.
Kashmir Economic Alliance General Secretary, Siraj Ahmed said that lawlessness is prevailing in Kashmir. “The government on the one hand is allowing land-mafia to occupy properties illegally while on the other hand it is forcing people to evacuate the land possessed by them legally,” he said.
“The shopkeepers occupying KMD stand in Lal Chowk are being forced to evacuate despite the fact that matter is subjudice. Here Ganges is flowing in reverse direction,” he said.
Another trader on condition of anonymity told CNS that how is it possible that a group of ordinary Sumo drivers could equip themselves with bulldozers and would create havoc without having respect for law. The reason is obvious. Political leaders are encouraging such elements for their petty interests. It is a give and take. Today that leader helped them and tomorrow these hooligans would support him during elections,” he said.
Vice Chairman,SDA, Mohammad Shafi Rather said that we are looking into the matter and after and action would be certainly initiated.
Meanwhile a top police official from Khoti Bagh police station told CNS that police is in touch with SDA authorities. “We had a meeting with SDA authorities and we are waiting for their signal. We have not arrested any person so far,” he said.
A top administrative official on condition of anonymity said that few unemployed Sumo drivers tried to occupy few marlas of land and we have not allotted any land to them. “It is not a big issue and they have been evacuated,” he said.
