Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: The JK Thinkers Forum led by its president, Kuldeep Kashmiri today joined Avtar Koul who has been sitting on dharna for the past 36 days in front of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner’s office here demanding justice.
Koul, a Kashmiri Pandit living in exile for the last 36 years has alleged that hundreds acres of his ancestral land in the Kashmir Valley has been encroached upon. Despite the prolonged protest and representations the seriousness of the issue, the Government has failed to take cognizance of his grievance forcing him to continue peaceful agitation.
While speaking to reporters Kuldeep Kashmiri expressed deep concern over the apathy shown by the authorities and appealed to community leaders, social organisations and civil society o come forward and express their solidarity. He stated that Koul’s case is not an isolated one and that thousands of KP families have suffered similar injustice with their lands encroached upon in the Valley during prolonged exile.
He further highlighted that besides private property many temples and even cremation grounds at various places have been encroached upon hurting the sentiments of the community.
Others who participated dharna included Mohanlal Akura,Veer Ji Chowgami, Tej Krishan Hanjan, Gh Hassan Budder and Ravi Koul Verinag all echoed the demand for immediate Government intervention, proper verification of land records, and restoration of the legitimate rights of the displaced community.
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