Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 24: In a massive joint operation against land-grabbers today, the Revenue Department and police teams demolished temporary sheds on 25 kanals of State land raised by encroachers in village Rajpura, just 500 meters from International Border in Kanachack, while amidst day long clashes and stone-pelting, three dozen cops including SHO Kanachack were injured.
Official sources said that, Revenue Department team led by Executive Magistrate First Class launched massive crackdown on land mafia, demolished about five temporary sheds raised by land grabbers on around 25 kanals of State land in village Rajpura, on Jammu’s outskirts.
The team faced heavy stone pelting by encroachers and their supporters, wherein three dozen policemen including SHO Kanachack Inspector Naresh Sharma were injured
“The joint team of Police and Revenue Departments faced stiff resistance during the eviction, but the team retrieved 25 kanals of State land by demolishing 5 temporary structures”, sources added.
As the large team with strong police force arrived at village Rajpura along with JCBs and other machineries, the land grabbers started assembling there. They were challenged by the Police and Revenue officers and asked to stay away, but the land grabbers launched strong attack on the team involved in anti-encroachment operation. They resorted to heavy stone pelting on police and revenue officials. The land grabbers also used deadly weapons.
On seeing the situation turning worst, Executive Magistrate First Class ordered police for mild lathicharge. The police and administration faced tough resistance and the women leading the protest did not allowed them to dismantle temporary structures raised on the State land.
“During day long operation, over three dozen policemen including SHO Kanachack Inspector Naresh Sharma were injured. Over two dozen policemen received minor injuries, while 9 others including SHO Kanachack Inspector Naresh Sharma were seriously injured and were undergoing treatment at PHC Kanachack, when last reports came in”, source said, adding the operation was successfully completed and about 25 kanals of State land was retrieved from the clutches of encroachers.
In the clashes, some land encroachers including women also received injuries and are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
However, some of the land grabbers set their demolished temporary structures on fire, so as to demand compensation from the Government and to get permanently settled on this retrieved State land, sources stated.
Sources added that encroachments near International Border (IB) by land grabbers probably by gujjars can pose a serious threat to the nation and to keep the borders safe, this drive was carried out.
Meanwhile, a case under FIR Number 130/17 under Sections 447-A, 353, 332, 147, 148 and 149 RPC has been registered against the land grabbers at Police Station Kanachack and hunt has been launched to nab them.
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