Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 31: Residents of Zoonimar in Srinagar’s Eidgah area today protested against the alleged illegal encroachment of their locality’s only approach road, demanding immediate action from the authorities.
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The locals accused a resident of unlawfully occupying part of the road while constructing a new house, severely hampering their daily commute. “We are facing immense difficulties as this is the only road connecting us to the main area. The structure must either be legalized properly or demolished,” one of the protesters said.
The residents said they approached the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), which initially assured them that an FIR would be lodged against the encroacher. However, they alleged that the case is still pending with the police. “There is confusion over whether the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the SMC or the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA). The authorities need to clarify this first,” a resident said.
According to the protestors, the SMC had earlier demolished the illegal portion of the structure following a complaint, but the encroacher rebuilt it within days. “When we visited the SMC again, they said it was a Sunday. On the next working day, they told us the issue was beyond their jurisdiction,” another local said.
Residents expressed frustration over the ongoing bureaucratic confusion, with some officials claiming the area falls under the LCMA and others pointing to the SMC. “We demand that the administration clearly state who is responsible,” said a protestor.
The residents warned that if authorities fail to act swiftly, they may be forced to take matters into their own hands and remove the encroachment themselves, saying any fallout would be the responsibility of the administration.
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