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| Broker continues to hold state land ‘It was gifted by Hari Singh to a Major’ | | |
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 7: The orders of the revenue officials and resentment of the locals notwithstanding, a broker continues to hold prime state land measuring 6 Kannals and 14 at Magarmal Bagh, Srinagar.
Early Times published a detailed report about the said land last year. The report had an impact and the concerned officials were seen in the area for a couple of days. But the `spirit' to liberate the piece of land died down as the time passed. The broker now intends to construct a shopping complex in what happened to be the first civil lines of the summer capital.
The Divisional Commissioner's office has passed several orders to prevent grab of the prized land by unscrupulous elements but nobody seems to heed the orders. The broker has erected fencing and fixed a hoarding that reads: "Kanna and Sons".
The piece of land was given on lease by Maharaja Hari Singh to Major Rai Bahadur Thapa. In 1947, it was given to the Jammu Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) to set up a camp. However, the JAKLI constructed two huts on the land for their officers.
The land remained in the possession of the JAKLI till January 20, 1990. On January 20 people came out on the streets at midnight raising anti-India slogans. The army officer called his men and vacated the accommodation in wee hours.
A few years later, the local mosque affairs committee requested the Consumer Affairs and Public Administration Department to open a ration depot in the hut. The depot was accordingly opened much to the relief of the locals.
The other hut housed the 9th battalion of the Jammu Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) till August 2010. During last year's agitation, a group of youth set the hut ablaze. The JKAP battalion also vacated the partially gutted hut.
Soon after, a broker named Kanna arrived with his men and erected a fencing around the property. He also took the local committee on board by promising them a piece of land to construct a shop.
Kanna is in possession of a power of attorney in the name of Ashok Singh, a resident of Jammu which he claims to have got from Suresh Singh Thapa. Suresh claims to be the son of Dal Bahadur Thapa the only surviving heir of Major Rai Bahadur.
However, one fine morning people saw a different sign board on the property. Another broker also in possession of a power of attorney had come during the night to dispossess Kanna. He came around noon with his men carrying hockey sticks to convey a message to the people. But Kanna's supporters proved too strong for him. The signboard was replaced and Kanna's possession restored. Surprisingly the police watched the development like a spectator. No action was taken against them.
Official documents which include Assistant Commissioner's (Nazool, Srinagar) communication No AC-1144/N dated 30-1-08 to Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar reveals that the officials were well aware of the grab.
The communication reads: "Kindly refer to above cited subject. In this connection I am to state that the land measuring 6 kannals and 14 marlas under Khasra No 499 min of estate Nursing Garh was recorded free grant in favour of General Sahib Bahadur and such grants were valid up to the life time of the grantee after which the land reverts back to the state, Nazool organization."
The communication quoting locals reads: "Some unscrupulous elements have manufactured a power of attorney in order to grab the land. One Shree Ghulam Rasool Kanna s/o Abdul Karim Kanna r/o Bone Mohallah, Srinagar have also manufactured one and is trying to process rent case in DC office."
The communication urges the deputy commissioner not to process any rent case as the same is a Nazool property.
In an earlier communication No AC-1144/N dated 26-12-07 addressed to the SHO Shergarhi, the Assistant Commissioner Nazool writs: "Please refer to the above subject. In this connection an area measuring 6 kannals and 14 marlas under Khasra No 499 in Magarmal Bagh locality as per the revenue records is recorded proprietary as Khalsa Sarkar. It is reported that an unscrupulous person namely Ghulam Rasool Kanna is bent upon to encroach upon the said piece of land.
It is as such requested to kindly ensure that nobody takes possession of this state land and in case any person tries to encroach upon the said land case may be registered against him under the intimation to this office." (SIC).
According to locals, police did come to the spot but only to facilitate the grab by Kanna. The police made the locals sign a declaration that they would remain silent incase Kanna gave them a piece of land for ration depot. The declaration was signed by the locals and handed over to the police.
Soon after this, Kanna started the grabbing process as the locals watched helplessly. The government, it may be mentioned, has fixed Rs 60,00,000 per kannal in the area. The land, therefore, is valued at around Rs 6 Crore. |
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