Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 25: Contrary to tall claims of the higher-ups, the government has failed to act against the illegal encroachments along the major rivers as the encroachers enjoy political patronage. After imposition of Governor’s rule followed by bifurcation of J&K into two UTs, campaign has been started to retrieve encroached land in some parts of Jammu but encroachment on the bank of the river Tawi is going unabated. It is widely believed that influential persons have been involved in encroaching land on the bank of the river.
The High Court had directed the state administration to file a detailed status report with regard to the illegal constructions along the rivers, particularly the Tawi, which passes through Jammu city.
In a report to the court, the administration had submitted a list of about 800 encroachments along the Tawi but the government failed to remove these because the encroachers enjoy political as well as bureaucratic patronage. The Court has given these directions in response to PIL filed by some social activists. Pertinently, the High Court had ‘rejected’ the compliance report of the administration with regard to action taken against illegal encroachments along the Tawi. It had also ordered mapping of the land along the banks of the river from Nagrota to the Phallian Mandal area.
Official sources said major government departments, including the JMC, JDA and PHE and Irrigation and flood control department, were on the list of encroachers. Several encroachers were issued eviction notices but no follow-up action was initiated against them. |
