Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 2: Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Simrandeep Singh today took a detailed meeting with the revenue officials of Akhnoor, Khour and Chowki Choura Sub Divisions in connection with the public outcry that has arisen due to the draft notification of Kaleeth firing range in Akhnoor.
The meeting was attended by Sub Divisional Magistrates of Chowki Choura, Akhnoor and Khour, Tehsildars of Akhnoor, Jourian, Chowki Choura, Kharaballi and Khour and Assistant Commissioner Revenue.
The Deputy Commissioner clearly apprised the officers that no land is being acquired by the Army for Kaleeth firing range. He clarified that land is acquired for defense purposes under the Requisition and Acquisition of Immovable Properties Act, 1968. However, the instant SRO-462 dated 31-12-2015 has been issued under the Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practice Act, 1938 (of the Indian Parliament).
Under Section 9 of this Act, the State Government notifies a range for firing practice of the Army. The same villages with 11 lakh and 46,000 kanals of land, were notified (total 149 serial numbers) in 1979 vide SRO No. 251 of 24-04-1979. The range was again notified in 1995 vide SRO 38 dated 7/3/1995, followed by SRO 166 dated 3-6-2004.
Each time, the quantum of notified land and villages remained same. The SRO of 2004 expired in 2014 and as such the objections were invited for re-notification. The DC clarified that the recent SRO is a routine procedural formality to re-notify the firing range. The firing will take place at the previous place only and no land would be acquired. The villages are only officially notified for the purposes of allowance and compensation, if any needed.
The DC informed that because the recent SRO of Home Department was published in prominent newspapers, some people, for their ulterior and vested motives, exploited the villagers and misguided them and created unnecessary panic and fear among the people. He asked the revenue officers to immediately hold meetings in their respective jurisdictions to educate the people about the instant SRO.
The DC further stressed that the Army has been using Kaleeth range for last about 40 years and therefore the same arrangement would only continue.
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