Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 2 : A Division Bench of J&K High Court today stayed all constructions along river Jhelum downwards Verinag in south Kashmir.
"We direct that the constructions on the river Jhelum from Verinag downwards shall remain stayed," a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said.
The court was hearing an application filed on behalf of Qazi Rashid Shams, the petitioner in a Public Interest Litigation, seeking removal of illegal structures on the banks of the Sindh and other water bodies.
Besides, the court directed that if any construction was underway in world famous Dal Lake, District Magistrate is empowered to demolish the construction in the respective area.
"This would be in addition to the orders which are already passed regarding construction in the vicinity of 200 meters in river Lidder and 100 meters in Dal Lake," the court said.
In the application, the counsel referred to a news report, stating reason for flood in the Valley.
In wake of the catastrophic flood in the valley, the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, report said, has already directed to remove all plantations and encroachments on the embankments and tributaries of river Lidder, Jehlum, Arpath, Brengi, Vaishaw, Sandran and Vethroo, etc. within a period of 15 days.
The deputy Commissioner has further directed that if the encroachers fail to remove the encroachments, the same shall be demolished by Irrigation and Flood Control Department , at the expanse of encroachers. |
