Saahil Suhail
Early Times Reoport
Anantnag, Mar 13 : Police on Friday registered an FIR against NC legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo) for allegedly manhandling Chief Executive officer of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA). Sources told Early Times that police registered FIR against the legislator on the written complaint of the officer. They said that CEO of PDA, M Y Bhat yesterday filed a complaint against MLA Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani for allegedly manhandling him and his staff, besides ransacking
his office.
"Yesterday, he forwarded a formal complaint against the legislator to SSP, Anantnag," a PDA official wishing anonymity said. Sources in police said that SSP, Anantnag, marked the application and directed the concerned SHO to lodge an FIR against the legislator under appropriate sections of law, following which FIR was registered.
They said that police also papered a list of eyewitness who will be later summoned for recording their statements. According to sources, Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Pahalgam, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Assistant Tourism Officer Tariq Ahmad, Tehsildar Pahalgam and other officials of PDA were present inside the office when the alleged incident took place. Meanwhile, senior police officials preferred silence and refused to provide details.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, (DIG) Range South Kashmir, Ali Mohmmad, when contacted, said, "I have not yet received the copy of complaint, so you please contact the district SSP." SSP Anantnag, Mohmmad Jabber said, "I am in a meeting; please call me later." However, he later avoided repeated calls. SDPO, Aishmuqam, Tanveer Ahmad said that he was not authorised to interact with media while Station House Officer of Pahalgam police station switched off his official phone soon after this reporter asked him to provide details of the alleged incident. Meanwhile, police spokesperson Manooj Sheeri confirmed to Early Times that police have registered FIR against the legislator. "FIR 20/2015 under sections 147, 427 and 353 has been registered," he said. Pertinently, Phalgam residents mostly National Conference workers held a protest against the CEO of PDA and accused him of carrying out selective demolition drive.
The high court had in 2010 imposed a blanket ban on constructions in Pahalgam till framing of new Master Plan following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Peoples Welfare Pahalgam. In 2012, the court further notified around 10 villages in the vicinity of Pahalgam and brought them under Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA).
According to locals, PDA allegedly allowed illegal constructions in the area as the former NC-Congress government always posted tainted and corrupt officials in PDA at Phalgam. |
