For the last many years now, the occupation of land by various security agencies across J&K is in sharp focus. Authorities are right in saying that when tens of thousands of soldiers were moved into Kashmir to curb militancy, it was an emergency and there was no time for creating adequate infrastructure for their housing. But now the situation has changed. The utterances of the top government functionaries and police officers point to the fact that the situation has not only changed but has changed a lot already. Month after month, there is visible improvement in the overall situation as militancy related incidents are nose-diving.
The change is adequately reflected by demands from a section of the leadership on either side of the ideological divide that deployments should commensurate with the improvements on ground. Already, some buildings on Srinagar’s Boulevard, a few schools in the periphery have been demilitarised. Some small security camps have also been relocated, either under routine procedures or under pressure from local populations.
Unlike buildings, however, there has absolutely been no change in the occupation of vast swathes of land by security agencies or the requisitions they have made to the civilian authorities. The recent instance is that of Shopian, where, reports suggest green wood is being axed to pave way for expansion of an existing garrison. Interestingly, security agencies are opting to have ownership rights over all the land estates that they are currently in occupation of.
In Kashmir, security agencies have evolved an interesting trend. They want a pie almost everywhere. Be it Gulmarg, where they have taken over substantial area of land, legally and illegally, or Sonamarg and Pahalgam, soldiers seems to be in dire need of address at all the tourist locations. A few years back, they erected temporary structures in Gulmarg valley, within days of the state government deciding to develop a satellite picnic spot. There are instances like Tattoo Ground of Srinagar that is yet to be handed over to the government in spite of the army having being given alternate land at Shariefabad.
Apart from dispossessing a people from major resource and capital, this trend is vindicating those who believe the increased militarization of the state smacks of a massive trust deficit. Consistent silence of policy makers on this is offering separatists an issue with which they can fiddle the way they want to because it is a huge emotional issue linked to survival and well being. Land in Kashmir is already under pressure and a scarce commodity.
