Shopian MLA Opposes Forest Eviction Notices, Vows to Bring Land Rights Bill in Assembly
Shopian, June 20, KNT: Shopian MLA Advocate Shabir Ahmad Kullay on Saturday strongly opposed the issuance of forest eviction notices to residents in various parts of the district, warning that any attempt to displace long-settled families would face stiff resistance and vowing to introduce a Land Rights Reservation Bill in the upcoming Assembly session.
The issue assumes significance amid growing anxiety among hundreds of families who fear displacement following notices issued by the Forest Department. The MLA’s intervention places the matter firmly in the political arena, with demands now emerging for legal safeguards to protect residents facing eviction.
Addressing the issue, Kullay described the notices as unjust and said people who have lived on the land for decades cannot be uprooted without addressing their concerns and securing their rights.
“The people are being harassed and pushed into fear. Families who have lived on these lands for decades cannot be uprooted overnight without addressing their concerns and protecting their rights,” he said.
The MLA questioned what he described as the selective implementation of eviction measures and asked why similar actions were not being witnessed in the Jammu region.
“Laws and policies must be implemented uniformly. Why are such measures being aggressively pursued in Kashmir while similar action is not visible elsewhere?” he asked.
Kullay announced that he would table a Land Rights Reservation Bill in the forthcoming Assembly session aimed at providing legal protection to vulnerable families and preventing what he termed arbitrary displacement of long-settled residents.
He said the proposed legislation would seek to create safeguards for people whose homes and livelihoods are under threat due to ongoing land-related disputes and eviction proceedings.
Appealing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene, the MLA urged the administration to immediately halt the eviction process and address the concerns of affected families through dialogue and legal protection.
Kullay also accused the administration of failing to respond adequately to public grievances and said the growing uncertainty among residents required urgent attention.
Reaffirming his commitment to the issue, the Shopian legislator said he would continue to raise the matter at every available forum, including the Assembly, and would persist in efforts to safeguard the rights, interests and dignity of affected residents. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
