8,536 Kanals of Waqf Land Under Illegal Occupation Across Jammu Kashmir: Govt | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A total of 8,536 kanals and 10 marlas of Waqf land in Jammu and Kashmir is under illegal occupation, including 5,907 kanals and 2 marlas encroached by locals and private persons and 2,629 kanals and 8 marlas under the occupation of government departments and Defence Forces, the government has disclosed.

The figures were shared in response to queries regarding the status of Waqf properties across the Union Territory.

Of the 5,907 kanals and 2 marlas encroached by locals and private individuals, the bulk lies in Jammu division, which accounts for 4,800 kanals and 14 marlas. Within Jammu division, the highest encroachment has been reported in Jammu district with 1,479 kanals and 6 marlas, followed by Samba with 1,129 kanals and 15 marlas and Kathua with 910 kanals and 8 marlas. Significant encroachments have also been reported from Poonch (550 kanals 9 marlas), Rajouri (479 kanals 15 marlas), Reasi (126 kanals 9 marlas) and Kishtwar (77 kanals 3 marlas), while smaller portions are reported from Udhampur, Doda and Ramban.

In Kashmir division, 1,106 kanals and 8 marlas of Waqf land are under encroachment by private persons. Kulgam accounts for 250 kanals, Baramulla 240 kanals and 6 marlas, Shopian 120 kanals, Srinagar 118 kanals and 14 marlas, and Anantnag 114 kanals and 3 marlas. Encroachments are also recorded in Bandipora, Budgam, Pulwama, Kupwara and Ganderbal.

Separately, 2,629 kanals and 8 marlas of Waqf land are under the occupation of government departments and Defence Forces. In Jammu division, the largest portion is in Jammu district at 1,022 kanals and 9 marlas, followed by Poonch (516 kanals 15 marlas), Kathua (369 kanals 15 marlas), Samba (216 kanals 10 marlas), Reasi (142 kanals 12 marlas), Rajouri (100 kanals 13 marlas) and Kishtwar (54 kanals 10 marlas). In Kashmir division, such occupation includes 136 kanals and 18 marlas in Anantnag, 30 kanals and 7 marlas in Srinagar, 29 kanals and 13 marlas in Kupwara and 9 kanals and 6 marlas in Bandipora.

The government also furnished details of total notified Waqf land in Jammu division, which stands at 44,672 kanals and 11 marlas. Rajouri has the highest quantum at 10,923 kanals and 10 marlas, followed by Jammu district with 10,594 kanals and 7 marlas and Poonch with 8,595 kanals and 18 marlas. Substantial holdings are also recorded in Samba (3,624 kanals 18 marlas), Reasi (2,642 kanals 13 marlas), Ramban (2,507 kanals 12 marlas), Kathua (2,546 kanals 4 marlas), Doda (1,486 kanals 12 marlas), Kishtwar (1,061 kanals 1 marla) and Udhampur (689 kanals 16 marlas).

On the issue of leases and allotments in Jammu division, the government said there are 153 legal occupants holding 983 leases and agreements combined. Jammu district alone accounts for 127 legal occupants and 652 leases or agreements, followed by Rajouri with 189, Kathua with 39, Poonch with 45 and smaller numbers in Udhampur, Kishtwar and Doda.

Litigation involving Waqf properties in Jammu division covers 103 cases concerning 1,198 kanals and 17 marlas of land. The highest number of cases pertains to Jammu and Kathua combined, with 60 cases involving 217 kanals and 9 marlas. Other significant litigation includes 14 cases relating to Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri involving 210 kanals, 12 cases in Poonch covering 110 kanals and 16 marlas, and cases in Samba, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi.

The government said the data reflects the scale of encroachment and litigation affecting Waqf properties in the Union Territory and forms the basis for further action to safeguard and retrieve Waqf land