Srinagar, May 25, 2014 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, Indian Army, after occupying land in Tattoo Ground, Gulmarg and Tosa Maidan, has encroached upon 21 kanal of prime land of the locals in the tourist destination of Sonmarg.
The occupation of land in Sonamarg, the meadow of gold, comes to light at a time when Army is yet to relocate from Tosa Maidan or return land it occupied at Tattoo Ground and Gulmarg.
After the land of locals was taken over, elaborate deliberations on the sensitive issue were held between the civil administration and the Army authorities during a Civil Military Liaison Conference (CMLC) that was presided over by Chief Secretary, Iqbal Khandey on March 18, 2014.
The meeting was convened to discuss the matter that the authorities feared might lead to law and order problems keeping the sensitivity of Amarnath yatra in mind.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Sarmad Hafeez informed the authorities that Army had encroached upon 21 kanal land at Sonmarg and fenced it during the night. “No rent has been paid to the locals for more than a decade,” Hafeez said in the meeting.
Among the army authorities, besides the Chief of Staff HQ 15 Corps, Maj Gen Manoj Kumar, Brigadier Q 15 Corps 56 APO, Defense Estates Officer Circle Kashmir, CoI Q, Works 15 Corps, CoI Q 31 Sub Area, Representative Station Commodore Gulmarg, Administrative Commandant Shariefabad Budgam, SDO and Defense Estate Officer Srinagar were also present.
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