Mir Farhat
Srinagar, Jan 25: Even after the High Court has directed the authorities to demolish encroachments along the embankments of water bodies in the State, the authorities are showing “slackness” and “selective” approach to the court order, particularly in Pulwama district.
Residents in the villages of Pulwama district are outraged over the delay by the Flood Control Department in removing illegal structures and trees that have been raised by some people on the embankments of the river Jhelum and other streams.
The residents of Kakapora, Koil, Nayen, Ratnipora said that the administration has not removed the encroachments like cowshed, trees, walls, and other structures from the water canals of Lar and the river Jehlum.
Following the devastating September floods last year, the High Court ordered the State Government to remove all the encroachments along the banks of water bodies in the State, as the structures have narrowed down the water retaining capacity of water bodies.
The inhabitants of Wokhoo, Marval and Kandizal villages said that brick kilns, stone crusher units, macadam plants in that have come up along the river embankments in recent years were not touched by the authorities.
“Since these units are owned by some rich and influential people, the administration did not touch the encroachments they have raised on the river bank. This is sheer violation of the court laws, and injustice with the poor,” the residents said.
The unit holders have raised earth bunds on their own to grab the land and protect their units from flooding.
“The authorities did not implement the High Court orders in letter and spirit. They have been selective. Only some poplar trees and some small shanties were removed,” the residents said.
They said the bund raised by the unit holders, which pose more flood threat to them were left without being removed. The residents said that the units are intact and should be immediately removed for maintaining the spirit of the laws.
Similarly, residents living in villages like Lajoora, Narwa, Koil, Ratnipora through which the Lar stream flows said that the administration has not implemented the court orders to remove encroachments.
The residents said the stream has been encroached by some inhabitants who live on its banks.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Sajjad Ahmad Khan told Excelsior that Department of Flood and Irrigation had carried out a drive to remove encroachments following the court decision.
“The Flood and Control Department officials might have taken some rest after the drive. That is why they don’t remove encroachments these days. I don’t know the current status of the drive. Please, contact me on Tuesday, I will check its status,” Khan said.
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