Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 11: The Deputy Commissioner Samba has ordered an inquiry into the attempt of some influential people to grab over 2000 kanal of Government land, adjoining Central University in Katwalta and Chirak area of district Samba while Forest team demolished the structures raised by a villager, claiming himself as owner of the land.
This land in question has become the bone of contention between the Forest department, the Revenue authorities besides some land mafia men, having patronage of some influential politicians. The police of late, has also been dragged into the issue on the direction of a local court to take cognizance of the matter and register an FIR against the Forest officials, who removed the encroachment from the land. Though, a retired teacher Rasal Singh has been placed in the fore front by influential land grabbers, a JCB and a large number of labourers were engaged by the land mafia men to raise structures there when the forest team launched operation.
The preliminary inquiry report conducted by Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Samba vide order No DCS/SQ/2012-13/414-16 dated 8-8-2012, on the directions of Deputy Commissioner, revealed that the Survey of India has reflected the said area, under Forest in the GT Map.
Referring to a Supreme Court judgment, the ACR’s inquiry report said, “The Forest Conservation Act 1980 was enacted with a view to check further deforestation which ultimately results in ecological imbalance and therefore, provision made therein for the conservation of forests and for matter connected therewith must apply to all forests irrespective of the nature ownership or classification thereof. The word forests must be understood according to dictionary word meaning whether designated as a `reserved’, protected or otherwise for the purpose of section (1) of the Forest Conservation Act.”
The report also indicated that on the spot inspection it was found that entire area is densely covered with the trees and bushes. Visibly there has been no sign of cultivation of any kind in the entire area for the decades. It falls under Khasra No. 1366 and 1416 which is `Gair Mumkin Jad’ (jungle), `Maqbooja Malkan’ and `Shamlat’ (village common land).
Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu, Ravi Kesar when contacted, said obviously, realizing proximity of that land with the newly coming up Central University near Raya Suchani and Mandal villages of Samba district, some influential land mafia men tried to grab over 2000 kanal of Forest land falling in compartment No. 49 (old) and 16 (new), of Bahu Range of Jammu Forest Division. As per Revenue record, this area falls in Khasra No. 1366 and 1416 of Samba district jurisdiction. He said this Forest land is still in the possession of Forest department and it has been fenced being dense forest closure. Some people tried to remove pillars and raise structure there. He along with forest team visited the spot and removed illegal encroachment. A JCB had been engaged there to plain a portion of land and concrete structures was also being raised. The encroachers were made to run away and the JCB was also removed from the site.
CF, Jammu East, Roshan Jaggi said as per Forest record of 1921, that area in question is Forest land and if now some body claiming Revenue record of that land on his name, it is very strange situation. It is not the game plan of one person only to grab huge piece of land but some more were could be behind. When the encroachment was being removed many people were seen supporting Saral Singh at the site. Mr Jaggi said even if the status of land is `Shamlat’, one person can not be the owner of that entire piece of land.
Replying to another question, Mr Kesar said, “we requested DC Samba to initiate an inquiry into matter and go for joint demarcation. The CCF further said that preliminary inquiry conducted by AC Revenue Samba has indicated that area falling under Khasra 1366/ 1416 is Shamlat (village common land) and Gair Mumkan Jad. It also mentioned that area is densely covered with trees and Forest department has raised forest closure. The report has also mentioned that the Forest officials performed their routine forest activities time to time and also fenced it, he added.
DC Samba Mubarak Singh, said he received request from Forest department regarding the status of the land and joint inspection of the land in question near village Katwalta, alleging that some people have encroached upon some Forest land there. He said a team led by AC Revenue Samba has been constituted and they are working on it. Two Forest officers are also members. He said this process may take some time. However, a preliminary report has come which indicated that majority of land is `Gair Mumkan Jad’ and Shamlot (VCL). It means that it can not pertain to single person. If some wrong entry has been made in the Revenue record that will be rectified and the officials responsible for it will be punished. When asked if there was any political pressure on him or the SSP Samba for helping `influential land grabbers, he denied and maintained that he will never yield to any such type of pressure.
SSP Samba, Israr Khan when contacted said that he received directions from the court of Additional Munsiff Samba to register a case against the accused Forest officials and initiate an action under law. Mr Khan said, “We approached the DC Samba to initiate inspection and issue orders for demarcation and reveal clearly the status of the land so that action be initiated against the real culprits. We also sought some reasonable time from the court to go for an action in this regard. This is a matter between the Revenue authorities and Forest. Police is not a party at all. We will facilitate the real owner of the land. As soon as inquiry report comes, we will certainly initiate an action,” Mr Khan maintained.
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