JAMMU : There is no one in the administration to take cognisance of fresh encroachment underway on state land in the heart of Jammu city.
As an illustration, the habitual land mafia who are openly engaged in encroachment of government land and its subsequent sale in the vicinity of Bahu Fort and Narwal area have now started grabbing children graveyard bereft of qualms of conscience.
Mocking the police and might of administration, the land grabbers in broad daylight light encroached upon a chunk of children graveyard located at Qasim Nagar area of Bahu Fort in JMC ward No 47.
Instead of initiating action the authorities prefer to hibernate on the issue of grave importance. Worth to mention here that prior to launch of eviction order on Jan 9, 2023, the LG’s administration had categorically stated that District Magistrates as well as SSPs shall be responsible for fresh encroachments in their jurisdiction.
The residents of the area while expressing anguish over the encroachment of graveyard alleged “As part of a well planned conspiracy, the land grabbers are hand in glove with police, JMC and Revenue department and are constructing concrete structures one after another on graveyard land but there is no one to act against them”.
For reasons best known to the administration, a portion of boundary wall of this graveyard is deliberately being kept open to encourage encroachment despite the fact that local JMC Councillor of ward No 47 Sharda Gupta has carried its renovation work through government funds, avers a resident of the area adding that the silence of the local councillor, who is a staunch BJP worker is questionable.
When contacted, VC JDA clarified that though Qasim Nagar is part of JDA colony, however, the graveyard land measuring 15 kanals still has not transferred to us by the Revenue department.
Reliable sources, revealed that the Revenue department is fully aware of the free for all encroachment of graveyard. Besides, this fresh encroachment, there are already two structures raised on it. But, why the Revenue department is still silent is a million dollar question ?
Reportedly, this matter of fresh encroachment is in the knowledge of top brass of J&K adminstration. But, no administrative action has been initiated so far.