Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: Senior Congress leader and DDC Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony today condemned the Revenue Department for allocating land for the construction of an ammunition depot in the densely populated area of village Chowadhi, tehsil Bahu.
He demanded immediate intervention from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to prevent such anti-people decisions.
Expressing shock over the Revenue Department’s failure to verify the ground reality, he slammed officials for their irresponsible behavior, which he said reflects a lack of concern for public welfare.
While interacting with the locals, Tony said, “It is a well-established fact that ammunition depots should not be located near residential areas due to safety concerns. In a similar case, the court has ordered the demolition of the house of former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh for violating such norms. If the law applies to one, it must apply to all. The Revenue Department cannot turn a blind eye to the risks posed to civilians in the area.”
He demanded that revenue officials thoroughly verify land records before acquiring any property.
“Before allocating land, officials must ensure that it does not already belong to someone else. They should check revenue records to avoid legal disputes and unjust encroachments,” he said.
Tony accused various departments, including the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), Forest Department and Jammu Municipal Corporation, of forcibly occupying land on the name of encroachments without verifying records.
“Many of such lands are already registered under different heads, but in connivance with corrupt officials, people are being harassed for personal gains,” he alleged.
However, after speaking with Deputy Commissioner, Sachin, he was assured that the matter would be reviewed with due consideration for the local population.
Appealing to CM Omar Abdullah, Tony urged him to instruct revenue officials to refrain from issuing anti-people orders that jeopardize civilian safety.
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