SDM, SDPO, Tehsildar & SHO lead the demolition team in Akhnoor; eyes on action against involved officials now
- In a coordinated effort, the demolition drive at Khasra No. 344 in village Dok Jagir, Akhnoor, was spearheaded by SDM Akhnoor Lekh Raj, accompanied by Tehsildar Akhnoor, SDPO Akhnoor Mohan Sharma, and SHO Akhnoor.
- District Magistrate Sachin Vaishya swiftly acted on the matter, setting an example by ordering the demolition of four illegally constructed shops. His actions have sent a clear warning to encroachers and land grabbers, signalling zero tolerance towards illegal activities.
- While the demolition drive has restored confidence among citizens, attention is now focused on holding accountable the corrupt revenue officials who allowed the illegal construction. There are demands for tougher action against the Patwari and Girdawar, highlighting the need for exemplary measures to deter others from similar actions.
Mohit Mehra
Akhnoor, March 21: Acting tough and quick to send a clear warning to encroachers, landgrabbers and other people who are indulging in illegal activities, District Magistrate, Jammu Sachin Vaishya today set an example by getting four illegally constructed shops demolished within days with citizens now waiting for the axe to fall on the corrupt revenue officials who allowed this construction knowing well it was a ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’ and the builder was declared as ‘Gair Maroosi’ by the department.
According to reports a demolition team lead by SDM Akhnoor Lekh Raj, alongwith Tehsildar Akhnoor and accompanied by SDPO Akhnoor Mohan Sharma and SHO Akhnoor to maintain law and order, today carried out the demolition drive at Khasra No. 344 at village Dok Jagir, Akhnoor, where Jammu Jottings had reported, in its March 17 edition under headline, ‘Land Grabbers Defy Authority: Are They More Powerful Than the SDM and Tehsildar?’ and again on March 18 edition under headline ‘Will SDM’s Orders Soar or Stay Grounded? Akhnoor Awaits Action on Illegal Structures’, that four illegal shops on a ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’ were constructed by land grabbers in connivance with some lower rung revenue officials.
Today’s action is said to have taken place after Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Vaishya, took the matter seriously and asked SDM Akhnoor to take quick and exemplary action. The quick action has not only restored the confidence of the local citizens on administration but they also have hailed the tough against land grabbers.
However, the citizens have also sought tougher action against the revenue officials who allowed this construction which they were supposed to stop when things came to their knowledge.
As per the reports of a local news portal the local Patwari and Girdawar knew about the illegal activity but allowed it for obvious reasons.
Some ladies were heard telling the news portal that it was local Patwari and Girdawar who has asked them to continue their construction after taking money while today they remained mum before the higher authorities.
They told the news portal that Patwari and Girdawar had been visiting the place during construction and had asked them not to worry and continue the construction but were mum today asking why had they not objected during the initial days if they were upright officials indicating action against them should also be strict and exemplary.
The local people however had great praise for SDM Lekh Raj and Tehsildar Akhnoor for their tough stand and the close coordination of SDPO Akhnoor Mohan Sharma and SHO Akhnoor for maintaining the law-and-order situation during the demolition drive.
They said that Tehsildar Akhnoor was doing a commendable job and ensures that no illegal activity is carried out in his jurisdiction and works in such a way that no pendency remains in his office.
They said that the Tehsildar even visits spots personally when someone wants to take Fard of land to ensure the authenticity of the transactions and save people from fraudsters. However, the role of Patwari and Girdawar has come under scanner and people now want the higher authorities particularly DC Jammu to act tough against them and take an equally exemplary action against them so that it serves as a lesion for others who shelter such land grabbers.
Background
It may be recalled that in a brazen display of power, land grabbers had flouted official directives with impunity, raising questions about the efficacy of administrative control in the region.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Akhnoor received a complaint on March 7, 2024, detailing illegal construction activities at a ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’ under Khasra No 344 situated at village Dhok Jagir, Tehsil Akhnoor. The complaint was supported by a GPS Photo bearing No. VMR5+MH, Sungal, 181202, Lat 32.892306°, Long 74.658467° dated 02/03/24 10:16 PM GMT+05:30 showing under construction shops.
Despite immediate action from the SDM, through his directive vide No. SDM/AKH/23-24/2672, dated 07/03/2024, the construction continued unchecked, pointing to a disturbing trend of disregard for authority at the concerned Patwari and Girdawar level.
The SDM in his directive had clearly asked the tehsildar, “to stop the illegal construction immediately and further furnish detailed report to this office within 02 days positively.”
The SDM’s directive to halt the illegal construction and submit a report within two days was blatantly ignored by concerned officials on the ground. Neither the Patwari nor the Girdawar took any action, allowing the construction of four shops to be completed.
Once again, concerned citizens captured a recent GPS image (No. VMR5+MH, Sungal, 181202, Lat 32.893211°, Long 74.657426°) dated 17/03/24 at 10:16 PM GMT+05:30, depicting four newly whitewashed shops with painted shutters and locks.
Later the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Akhnoor demanded an explanation from the Tehsildar regarding the failure to execute directives aimed at halting illegal construction activities on Khasra No. 344 at Dok Jagir, Akhnoor.
The Tehsildar Akhnoor had clarified that he promptly forwarded the SDM’s directive to the Naib Tehsildar and the concerned Patwari on the same day. However, the orders were not implemented as expected.
In response to the lapse, the SDM has initiated an inquiry and asserted that any revenue official found complicit would face suspension from service. He further declared that the illegal structures would be dismantled without hesitation.
Following it up, in a proactive move, the Tehsildar Akhnoor lodged a written complaint with the SHO Akhnoor, directing him to file an FIR against Surinder Singh, the individual responsible for erecting the illegal shops on ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’.
In a written complaint in Urdu, Tehsildar Akhnoor vide No. The/Akh/OQ/1442-43 dated 18/03/2024 (with a copy to SDM) asked SHO Akhnoor to file an FIR against Surinder Singh S/O Gian Singh R/O Dok Jagir, Akhnoor, who had raised illegal shops on ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’ under Khasra No 344.
In his directive, the Tehsildar had emphasized that no illegal activity would be tolerated within his jurisdiction. He sternly warned land grabbers of severe punitive measures and reiterated that strict action would also be taken against any officials found complicit.
Interestingly, it had also come to light that Surinder Singh had been declared ‘Gair Maroosi’ (illegal occupant) of the land by the Girdawar, despite which he was allowed to proceed with the construction of four shops on ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’, blatantly disregarding directives from the SDM.
The role of the concerned Patwari and Girdawar has raised suspicions of collusion with the culprit, casting a shadow over their integrity.
With todays quick and tough action, the DC Jammu, SDM and Tehsildar are receiving praises from the citizens. However, they also want a quick and tougher action against the Patwari and Girdawar if their involvement was found as alleged by the villagers and evident from their dereliction of duty.
