Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Feb 23: After a youth set himself ablaze in Harran area of Kangan in district Ganderbal during a demolition drive carried out by the Flood and Irrigation Department, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir P K Pole today ordered an inquiry into the matter while ordering the immediate transfer of Tehsildar Ganderbal for “mishandling” the issue.
As per an order issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, ADDC Ganderbal has been tasked to inquire into the entire matter and submit a detailed report in this regard.
As per the order, the concerned official will furnish his findings along with his definite comments and recommendations within a period of 10 days positively.
“In the meantime, Tehsildar, Ganderbal is transferred with immediate effect and his services are kept at the disposal of Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora owing to mishandling the issue,” Pole ordered.
In order to fill the space, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has transferred Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Tehsildar Tulail and has been directed to report to the office of Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.
Notably, earlier, a youth, in his late 20s received injuries after he attempted self-immolation soon after the officials of Flood & Irrigation Department reached the spot of construction on the banks of Nallah Singh in Ganderbal to carry out a demolition drive, however, as the youth set himself ablaze, the officials were compelled to abort the drive and move back while the police stepped in to manage the situation.
In the meantime, immediately, the youth was referred to SKIMS, Soura where he is currently receiving treatment. However, when contacted, the hospital authorities refused to comment over the nature and extent of injuries the youth has sustained during the self-immolation bid, but they said that he is currently being treated by a team of doctors at the hospital.
The incident has also caught much of the public eye, critiquing the concerned department over delayed action against “illegal” constructions.
“If the structure is illegal why was the concerned department waiting for it to be first built and then demolished; they could have acted earlier,” one of a local said.