SRINAGAR : Admitting that all the files in connection with the land grab in Anantnag district have been received, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul said Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni has signed the deal as a witness. “Yes the Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir police has seized all the records, including patwari, girdawari, deal and other documents, about the alleged fraudulent land deal in Marhama in Anantnag district,” Mr Gul informed the House. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition of Peoples Democratic Party in the House Abdul Rehman Veeri announced that if Madni was found involved in any land grab deal, he will be expelled from party. Let the CB complete inquiry, he said. The issue was raised by ruling National Conference (NC) member Nasir Aslam Wani who wanted to know if the direction of the Speaker to CB in this connection were fulfilled. Mr Gul had directed the CB yesterday to seize all the records about the land deal and present the same to him before the Question Hour.
The Speaker said he had directed the CB to submit the land record so that it is not tampered with. I will again hand over the record to CB for further investigation, he said. Mr Gul said he has already directed the CB to complete the investigtion within 15 days. However, he said there is already House Committee on Wetland which has also been directed to investigate.
He said the Deputy Speaker has signed the documents as a witness, adding “there are three people who are beneficiaries, including Yasir Reshi and Abdul Majid.” On behalf of villagers one Abdul Gani Bhat has signed the documents, Mr Gul informed the House and said Madni was a witness.
Mr Gul said as per the documents, which will be investigated, the authorities have allowed filling of the land for agriculture purpose. But a Godown for Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other structures have been constructed, he said, adding the case is already in the Additional District Court and Panchayat court in Anantnag. Higher Education minister Mohammad Akbar Lone said Opposition PDP leaders are involved in the land grab. They are collecting money which will be utilised for elections, he alleged.
Mr Wani said since the name of Madni has come in the deal, he should resign.
The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the Speaker was allowing only ruling NC members to speak while the PDP members were being ignored by the Chair. Mr Veeri said, “You are running the government, you have everything, including investigation, at your disposal..Let you get it probed immediately so that those responsible for any illegal land deal is brought to justice.” When the NC members started shouting, Mr Veeri said, “the NC is desperate now because their days are limited.” The Leader of the Opposition said, “You are in the government, let you do whatever you want to get it probed and punish the guilty.”
He wanted to know who has given permission to fill the land.
Mr Wani who was again allowed to speak by the Speaker, demanded resignation of the Deputy Speaker. Mr Madni said he was ready to face any action and leave politics if anybody will prove that he was benefitted from the land deal. He said he just signed the documents as a witness for the benefit of local villagers and has no other interest.
Mr Madni raised the issue of 2010 Badgam land grab as revealed by then Deputy Commissioner, Badgam, and wanted that action be taken against those land grabbers also.
Mr Lone and Mr Wani wanted to know why Mr Madni signed the documents as a witness when the area did not belong to his constituency.
“What was your witness in the land deal, how you know Abdul Gani who signed onbehalf of villagers,” they wanted to know.
Mr Veeri announced in the House that Mr Madni will not be “tolerated” in the party if it is proved that he is involved in any deal.
He said the NC is “desperately trying” to score points without any proof against Mr Madni because of Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year. “Your days are numbered now and these filmsy issues to implicate PDP will not do any benefit to you,” Mr Veeri said to NC members who were demanding resignation of Mr Madni. The Speaker said now Mr Veeri has announced that Mr Madni will be expelled from the party if found involved, “let us all wait for CB inquiry.” He directed all the members from treasury and opposition benches to resume their seats and allow first question of the Question Hour. After Ajaz Ahmad Khan clarified that government has not given any order for filling of the land, The Speaker said the discussion on this issue is over and nothing be recorded. However, in between this discussion, National Panthers Party (NPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party continued slogan shouting in the House and wanted to raise their issues. (AGENCIES)
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