The Committee constituted by the General Administration Department and headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests to conduct the demarcation of the identified disputed locations in the context of the J&K Forest (Conservation), 1997, has, in its interim report, stated its inability to conduct demarcation of forest land owing to serious resentment and opposition by the land mafia involved in encroachment of forest lands. The demarcation was essentially to be done in 10 places including Dwara near the Sidhra Golf Course, Raghura, Majheen, Sidhra, Chatha, Sunjwan and Bathindi. The committee suggested launching of demarcation and eviction drive in Roop Nagar-Janipur, Chowki Chowra and Akhnoor belts of Jammu district also. Demarcation and eviction of illegal encroachment and occupation has defied many orders and directives from various Government agencies over a period of time. It is not that the Government is unable to evict the illegal occupation. The fact is that Government agencies are head and shoulders deep in the conspiracy. It is the Government agencies that are not willing to let the functionaries proceed in their assignment. The reason is simple. Many of those at the helm of affairs are the pillars of vested interest. How will they allow eviction when they know they would be among the evacuated occupants? This is a wide spread network of land mafia. Is there any need to discuss it because the encroachers are protected by Government agencies? Is it an exercise in futility?
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