Displaced familiies, land usurped by Indian army

200 Kanal land under troops occupation since 1990

Greater Kashmir Jan 20, 2009
50 families migrated to AJK, 30 living under avalanche threat

SHAHID RAFIQ

Kupwara, Jan 19: More than 200 kanal of proprietary land at Lashdut in this frontier district, comprising maize, pulse and potato fields besides apple and walnut orchards have been under the occupation of troops since 1990.
As a consequence, nearly 50 families were forced to cross over to AJK in 1990 and 30 other families are living temporarily at Kanyan, Doga and Kamkadi near the line of control under avalanche threat.
Before 1990, Lashdut was a peaceful village. Inhabitants of the small hamlet used to earn their livelihood through cattle rearing, growing food grains and vegetables. In January 1990, Grenadier Regiment occupied the land, and over the years army units, including 14 Raj Rifles, JAK riffles, Mahar regiment and several other units took control of the land. Presently, land is under the occupation of Rajput and 7 Para regiments.
“We were living happily and the main source of our sustenance was land and cattle. But in 1990, when the armed rebellion broke out in the state, army started harassing us and finally occupied the land forcing the villagers to migrate. The occupation has rendered us homeless and made our survival difficult,” said head of a displaced family wishing not be named.
The families alleged that scores of cattle had perished in the past 18 years due to landmine explosions. They said the land had been completely fenced by the troopers and their houses razed to ground. “Troopers have been using trees and furniture as firewood. We have not received single penny as compensation till date,” the villagers said, adding, “Since the day troops occupied our land we’ve not been allowed to visit our fields.”
“Only source of income for my family was my 20 kanal of land comprising walnut trees. But for past two decades, I have been deprived of my livelihood and the troops are using my land as helipad and the walnut trees have been chopped,” said a displaced farmer.
When contacted, the PRO Defence declined to comment on land compensation issue. “I can’t comment on this,” he said.
Officials at district development commissioner’s office at Kupwara told Greater Kashmir that the file had been sent to army’s district estates office, Varmul, for approval.