New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has written to the Home Ministry of India asking to accelerate the transfer of a recently allotted 65.5 acres of land in Kashmir.
The force has also requested for more land to be allotted to them, The New Indian Express reported quoting the top officials.
The CRPF wrote the letter around two weeks ago requesting the MHA India to grant funds, which it could then pay to the JK administration to take over the land and start construction of designated accommodation for paramilitary personnel, the report quoted a senior Home Ministry official as saying.
Quoting the official further, the report said that the Ministry is looking into CRPF’s request for more land in JK. “The request for more land from CRPF has been received and it is being looked into,” the official said.
The report quoting a senior CRPF official said the paramilitary force has sought more land considering the huge deployment of CRPF in JK due to the security situation there.
“Many personnel are currently residing in government buildings but all these are temporary accommodations. Proper and safer accommodation for the personnel can be only built on designated land,” the official said.
However, the residents have expressed opposition after at least two major community halls were “occupied by the CRPF” in the past few days, the report said, adding, they demanded an alternative accommodation for the security personnel.
The issue of land transfer to the armed forces has always been a contentious issue in the Valley with locals opposing such moves.
In 2019 the Indian Army had to approach the JK High Court after a local body — Sonmarg Development Authority — had objected to the army’s proposal of constructing a transit camp in the scenic Sonmarg. The political leaders in the Valley have repeatedly questioned the presence of armed forces and the GoI’s moves to transfer more land to the forces.
On November 14, former CM Mehbooba Mufti put out a tweet questioning the government of India’s decision.
“By pushing armed forces into civilian areas, GoI isn’t only choking public spaces but also getting armed forces personnel into direct confrontation with people. This can lead to disastrous consequences.”
On October 28 this year, the JK administration gave a nod for transferring 65.5 acres to the CRPF for establishing camping sites at eight villages in Anantnag, Shopian, and Pulwama districts.
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