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Cremation ground at Shadipora-Ganderbal under 'encroachment' threat Land mafia cuts down trees, eyes huge tract of land 2/28/2016 11:44:15 PM Jehangir Rashid Early Times Report SRINAGAR, Feb 28: At a time when lot of talk is going on with regard to return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley land 'mafia' has cut down trees planted in a cremation ground of the Hindus in the Central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. Sources told Early Times that the land mafia has cut down scores of willow and poplar trees in the cremation ground located in the Shalhar area of Ganderbal district. Huge logs of wood have been dumped by the land mafia inside the premises of cremation ground and there are apprehensions that they might be disposed off in 'connivance' with some members of local administration. "The land mafia has cut down scores of trees present in the cremation ground at Shalhar better known as Narayan Bagh in the Shadipora area of Ganderbal district. The cremation ground that is spread over five kanals of land and the whole area has been turned barren due to the cutting down of the trees. The land mafia wanted to sell the timber in the market, but before that the issue came out in the open," said sources. Sources said that some of the locals and some members of the Pandit community approached the concerned authorities and raised the matter with them. The issue was also brought up before the concerned Tehsildar Wakura who immediately swung into action and deputed the local Patwari and Girdawar to take a stock of the situation. 'It is apprehended that since some of the officials are hand in glove with the land mafia there are chances that timber would be disposed off. As such it is important that the timber is kept in safe possession and action is taken against the culprits. The Chowkidar of the cremation ground refused to take over the timber since him being a local fears repressive action from the land mafia," said sources. As soon as Kashmir Temple Caring Committee (KTCC) Chairman, Bharat Raina came to know about the incident he rushed to the site and contacted the concerned officials so that action under law is taken against the culprits. Raina asked the concerned police and revenue officials to lend a helping hand so that nobody plays fraud in the whole issue. "As soon as I came to know about the incident I rang up Director General of Police K Rajendra. He said that he would look into the matter and ensure that strict action under rules is taken against the culprits. It is important that the district administration authorities take the issue seriously so that such things are not repeated in future neither in Ganderbal district or any other district for that matter," said Raina. The KTCC Chairman said that the incident is a blot on Kashmiriyat and said that strict action under rules should be taken against the 'violators' of law. He asked Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon to act fast in the matter so that the issue does not linger on and the culprits run away Scott free. Ashish Zutshi, member Roots in Kashmir (RIK) told Early Times over phone from New Delhi that local police should trace out the people responsible for cutting down of trees so that stern action is taken against them. He said that the act is uncalled for and should be condemned by one and all, irrespective of the religion he or she belongs to.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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