 Arun Trisal
Early Times Report
Kathua, Nov 24: Despite official claims of retrieving land from encroachers, land grab continues unabated across the state. In District Kathua Panchayat bodies have allegedly sold 20 Kanals of land meant for pasture allegedly encroached by a panchayat member of Hamirpur but no action has been taken against him.
Naresh Khajuria of Hamirpur Panchayat alleged that the panchayat member sold the said meadow land bearing Khasra number 471 but no action has been taken by tehsil administration so far to retrieve the land.
While interacting with media, Khajuria said the land, once used for pasture was used by the people for religious and other functions but some people grabbed it.
He demanded strict action against revenue officials who allegedly backed the grabbers and asked for the eviction of all encroachers from there in the interest of general public.
When contacted, Des Raj, Naib-Tehsildar of concerned block, informed that the notice has been issued against the encroachers and land will be evicted within days.
He assured action after demarcation of land. He accepted encroachment but kept mum when asked about involvement of revenue officers and the panchayat member to sell the land meant for meadow.
It is relevant to mention here that there are many other cases where state land has been encroached but despite of apex court's direction for preservation of water bodies and state land, officials act like spectators. |
