 Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 23: Some property dealers are illegally constructing houses on forest land in Bathindi area of this winter capital of the state.
The property dealers, enjoying support of a former Senior Superintendent of Police, grabbed a portion of the forest land falling under khasra number 6 in Bathindi, sources told Early Times.
"Some 10 houses are under construction on the forest land. The matter was also brought into the notice of Forest authorities, but to no avail," said sources.
They said the illegal construction is taking place near the residence of former Chief Minister and opposition National Conference's president Farooq Abdullah.
DFO, Jammu Forest Division, V S Senthil Kumar, told Early Times that he received a complaint and summoned the person who is raising constructions on the piece of land.
"According to documents he produced, the land where construction is going on is the state land," said Kumar, adding that the matter further was brought into the notice of district administration.
"I wrote a letter to Deputy Commissioner Jammu, and talked to him telephonically also. Since the construction is going on state land, further action will be taken by the authority concerned," Kumar added.
The Deputy Commissioner, Simrandeep Singh, said he has directed tehsildar concerned to immediately stop the constructions.
"I received complaint from the DFO Jammu and further action would also be taken as per the law," Singh said.
Notably, these illegal constructions are taking place at a time when Forest Minister Bali Bhagat has launched a campaign against forest land grabbers across the state, particularly in Jammu division. |
