Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 27: It may sound incredible to many but it has been alleged by senior officers that Forest land has been encroached upon by Irrigation Department, using Police force in connivance with Revenue officials by dismantling decades old boundary wall of Forest Guest House at the bank of river Chenab at Akhnoor today.
The Irrigation Department staff at Akhnoor with the support of local police and some Revenue officials, stormed into the complex along with a JCB and smashed the boundary wall of the Forest Guest House early today. Despite resistance by the Forest staff the contractor along with Irrigation staff continued work.
While officers of the Irrigation Department claimed that land in possession of Forest Department belonged to them, but physically the area was still under the occupation of Forest Department with well protected boundary wall. With this new controversy at Akhnoor, both the departments are at daggers drawn and the DFO Jammu, V Sinthal Kumar and Range Officer, on the directions of the senior Forest Officers have lodged an FIR with the Akhnoor Police.
Eye witnesses said that there had been heated arguments between the officers on both the sides over the issue during operation. The situation was tense and there was every possibility of erruption of law and order problem. They alleged that the whole episode seems to be politically motivated. The contractor and staff continued work during the day and the Forest officials were seen roaming around helplessly. They also took up the issue with the SDM Akhnoor Mr Girish who later visited the spot.
PCCF, Abhay Kumar when contacted said that this 41 kanal and 4 marla land belonged to Forest Department. He said there is old Forest Guest House at Akhnoor. There is Nursery and Forest timber depot also besides IWDP building. “If the land belonged to them why they were silent over the issue for last many decades,” he maintained.
“Even if any department needs land there is procedure. They have never applied or sent any requisition to us. If they needed some land for raising tank, they should have applied for it to Forest Department. This is not the way for any such move. It is very unfortunate and in bad taste. We have brought the matter to the notice of Forest Minister and Commissioner Secretary and accordingly an FIR has been lodged. We have also brought the record from `Mohafiz Khana’ (Revenue Deptt) where it has been clearly mentioned that this 41 kanals, 4 marla land under Khasra No 383 belonged to Forest Department. It is amazing that Revenue officials at Akhnoor including Tehsildar, Girdawar Patwari etc besides Irrigation officials are claiming that land belonged to them. We will contest for it as this was not the way to get the things settled”, he added.
DFO Jammu V Sinthal Kumar said this entire operation was carried in presence of Tehsildar Akhnoor Vijay Kumar Sharma, Executive Engineer Irrigation Manchanda, Executive Engineer PHE Mr Arora and even SHO Akhnoor. He said yesterday there had been talks with the SE Irrigation, Rajiv Gandotra, Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu Roshan Jaggi, Conservator of Forests West in his presence. “ We also provided the land record and asked Mr Malhotra to send requisition if they need land for any purpose. But despite this all, they went for this unlawful action today. If they claim that 38 kanal land belong to them they should not have waited till today. No notice has been served by Irrigation officials before going for this action. He said that SHO Akhnoor has not taken cognizance of FIR and issue will be taken up with SSP and IGP.
Chief Engineer, Irrigation Mr Badyal claimed that 38 kanal and 4 marla land in the occupation of Forest Department belonged to them as per Revenue record at Akhnoor. Record shows that Forest has ownership of just 3 kanals of land. He said small piece of hardly 5-6 marla land is needed for raising over head water tank for public and the Forest Department is opposing. When asked if the land belonged to them then why the department was silent for the last many decades, he had no satisfactory reply and maintained for the years nobody asked to Forest Department.
While justifying action Badyal said there was no need to take permission from Forest Department as the land belonged to Irrigation Department. SE Irrigation Jammu, Rajiv Malhotra claimed that department had done soil testing at the site for raising overhead tank and the procedure was going on for the last 5-6 months. The DFO was opposing the proposal of raising over head tank. He claimed that work has been allotted to a contractor by the concerned PHE Department and the work has been commenced.
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