Anti-encroachment drive intensifies as former bureaucrat, senior advocate face heat

Srinagar: The ongoing anti-encroachment drive intensified as authorities demolished several structures including those belonging to “influential persons” across Kashmir on Saturday, officials said.

In Budgam district authorities demolished an outer wall of a former bureaucrat’s house near the Srinagar Airport on Saturday.

The authorities in Srinagar district also removed the structures built on “encroached state land” by an Advocate, who also happens to be sister of a mainstream political leader in the Nishat area of the city.

The encroachments were also removed at Padshahibagh and Chattabal areas. At Padshahibagh, the locals were agitated over the government action.

Reports said the demolition was carried out in several other districts of the valley under the supervision of senior government officials.

J&K Chief Secretary has directed Deputy Commissioners of all districts to personally monitor the ongoing eviction drive across the Union Territory and submit progress reports on a daily basis.

There has been an uproar over the J&K government’s anti encroachment drive.
J&K Lt Governor has been asserting that only influential and powerful people who misused their position and violated the law to encroach upon the state land would face the law of the land.

On Saturday, Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah three days ago, said there should be clear orders from Raj Bhawan saying that the poor and common masses won’t be touched.

UNI