Massive anti-encroachment drive on forest land in Jammu; Kashmir political leaders cry foul

A massive anti-encroachment drive was held on Tuesday (May 19) at Raika Bandi forest area in Jammu against the illegal construction on the forest land.

The teams of Forest department along with police reached the spot along with bulldozers to demolish the illegally encroached land in the area. Locals have in the past demanded action against the illegal encroachment on forest land in different parts.

An official said “anti-encroachment drive was carried out at Raika Bandi to evict encroached forest land in Compartment No. 66/B. A joint team of the Forest Department, Forest Protection Force, Police personnel, officers of the belt force and District Administration in the presence of First Class Magistrates, conducted the operation and demolished approximately 32 illegally constructed concrete as well as kaccha structures during the drive”.

Nearly 3 hectares of encroached forest land were reclaimed during the operation.

Many political leaders from Kashmir, focusing on their vote bank, started to cry foul and raised allegations against the administration that retrieved the illegally encroached land.

Photo is representational