 Arun Trisal
Early Times Report
Kathua, June 18: Nearly 200 kanals of state land have been grabbed by the land mafia in Kathua district.
According to Panchayat members of Juthana village, for the past two decades they have been apprising the Revenue officials about the land grab issue, but to no avail.
Balwinder Singh, chairman Panchayat, Juthana, told Early Times that one Chandhu Ram, son of Munshi Ram, Diwan Singh, son of Munshi Ram, and Babu Ram, son of Chain Singh have grabbed 200 kanals of land bearing khasra no. 1742/196 adjoining to their 42 kanal land.
Balwinder said a school or a hospital can be raised on the land, or it can been used as a playground, community hall or pasture for live stock. He said the land mafia use their muscle power to browbeat the locals if they raise voice against them.
"The land was grabbed by the mafia with active support of some Revenue officials," Balwinder said. He said the issue has been highlighted before DDCs and officers concerned but nothing has been done against grabbers that encouraged them to grab another piece of vacant land.
He said DDC Kathua issued a notice on 25-04-2015 to tehsildar Kathua and asked for a report, which is yet to be submitted. He said the Revenue officers take their time to report the existing situation to DDC.
It may be mentioned that the land in question was earlier vacated in 2007, but now the mafia has again occupied it, despite protests from the local Panchayat.
The Panchayat members appealed to Revenue Minister and Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and order strict action against the encroachers and the Revenue officers involved in the crime.
Meanwhile, naib tehsildhar of Jhuthana, Sodagarmal denied charges of the local Panchayat members. He said he personally reviewed the existing status of the land and submitted a report to senior officers.
"Inquiry is going on in the issue and the truth will prevail," Sodagarmal told Early Times, admitting that several kanals of state land have been grabbed in other parts of Kathua. |
