Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 24: All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) today showed grave concern over the encroachment of shrines, temples and private as well as agricultural land of displaced Pandits by land mafia and anti social elements in the Kashmir valley who are working actively with the patronage and support of some Revenue officers/officials.
In a joint statement issued here, today ASKPC president, R K Wangnoo, its Women Wing chief, Veena Gurtoo and Ravi Raina its Youth Wing president said the immovable property of Kashmiri migrants worth crores seeks implementation of Immovable Migrant Property Act, 1997 in letter and spirit as well revamping of Migrant Grievance Portal with firm accountability.
They said that for preservation, protection, safeguard and restoration of Migrant Immovable Properties in Kashmir valley from land grabbers and anti social elements inside and outside the system who illegally encroached and grabbed land of migrants, land of temples and shrines and dismantled the houses of Kashmiri Pandits soon after they were forced to leave Kashmir, a legislation was brought in the Assembly of J&K in 1997 under the name and style ” Immovable Migrant Property Act 1997.
Wangoo said that under this law all the concerned Dy. Commissioners were made the sole custodian for this immovable property to safeguard, preserve, protect and restore the illegally occupied land from land encroacher but unfortunately despite passing more than 34 in exile, the illegal occupation of migrant lands, shrines, temples has not been removed and still continuing with active involvement of some corrupt officers/officials within the system in collaboration with land grabbers who are still rolling the roost. This is a matter of great concern and agony for all of us, he added.
He further added That Lt. Governor J&K had constituted a Migrant Grievance Portal one year back which yielded rich output and thousands Kanals of migrant land was retrieved and restored under his keen guidance, supervision and directions but unfortunately this portal has become now defunct for some time due to biased approach of some corrupt officers/ officials.
Veena Gurtoo said that there are countless migrants who are approaching this organization daily with this plea that they are running from pillar to post in Kashmir valley in various revenue courts for want of disposal of their grievances braving great threat to their lives but all in vain and a great mental harassment is being meted out by them there.
Ravi said that highhandedness of Revenue authorities in dispensation justice has added to the woes of displaced people. He demanded action against erring Revenue officers and officials flouting the rules.
Wangoo and Gurtoo have appealed to Lt. Governor J&K to revive the Migrant Grievance Portal immediately.
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