Srinagar, Aug 24 (JKNS): A Kashmiri Pandit family presently residing in Jammu has expressed gratitude to Srinagar Police for what it described as prompt action following a complaint alleging an attempt to grab their ancestral land in the Soura area and threats aimed at preventing the family from returning to Kashmir.
According to the family, Shakuntala Bhan, presently residing at Muthi Camp, Jammu, approached senior police officials after allegedly receiving threats and learning of an attempt to take control of their property in Omarheer area of Soura.
Bhan told news agency JKNS, that her family owns around 165 kanals of land in the area and alleged that Malik Abid Hussain of Firdous Abad, Batamaloo, along with his associates, had been attempting to occupy the property.
She further alleged that she and her family members were threatened with dire consequences and warned against visiting or returning to the Kashmir Valley.
The family said Bhan submitted written complaints before the IGP Kashmir, SSP Srinagar and SDPO Zadibal, following which Srinagar Police initiated action and arrested the accused.
The accused is presently lodged in Srinagar Central Jail, according to the family.
Bhan also alleged that a substantial portion of the family’s property had already been occupied and that a complex had been constructed on part of the land.
She further alleged that around two kanals of the family’s land had been occupied by the Jal Shakti Department, where construction material and other stock had allegedly been dumped.
Bhan said she approached the Chief Engineer of the concerned department, seeking removal of the material and vacation of the land, but alleged that the stock continued to remain on the property.
The complainant further alleged that she had been threatened against visiting Kashmir and was warned that she could be killed if she returned to the Valley.
The family welcomed the action taken by Srinagar Police and appreciated the intervention of the police authorities in acting upon their complaint.
The allegations regarding land ownership, encroachment and threats are subject to investigation and judicial determination. (JKNS)
