Deputy CM questions Forest Deptt, police role

Baramulla, May 20: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister SurinderChowdhary on Wednesday questioned the role of the Forest Department and police in the recent demolition drive at Sidra, terming the action “unfortunate” and alleging that the land under dispute was state land and not forest property.

Speaking during his visit to Uri on Wednesday, the Deputy CM said the demolition drive had inflicted huge losses on poor residents and described such measures as “against humanity.”

He said those carrying out demolitions fail to understand the sacrifices and years of hard work involved in building a house.

Choudhary asserted that the land under dispute was state land and not forest property.

“If the land belongs to the state, then why was the Forest Department involved in the demolition process?” he asked.

He further alleged that, ironically, both the Forest Department and the police do not function under the jurisdiction of the elected government.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir government had written to Prime Minister NarendraModi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging that such incidents should not take place with poor people in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has already constituted a fact-finding committee to probe alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

According to an order issued by the Department of Tribal Affairs, the two-member committee comprises Director Tribal Affairs, Mohammad Mumtaz Ali, and Assistant Director Tribal Affairs, Muzamil Hassan Choudhary.

The panel has been tasked with examining any violation of the Forest Rights Act in connection with the recent demolitions and has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

The demolition drive, carried out jointly by officials of the Forest Department, Revenue Department and Police, sparked protests and criticism from members of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community and several political parties, who alleged that the action was conducted without prior notice and in violation of tribal rights.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who is on a two-day tour of Uri and Handwara, also raised concerns over the lack of bunkers in border areas. He said the government has already recommended construction of more bunkers to ensure the safety of civilians during cross-border shelling.

He said they are optimistic that the recommended bunkers by the Government will be sanctioned soon by the centre.