Both NC and PDP owe and explanation to the people of Kashmir
“It is a well-known fact that we always recognize our homeland when we are about to lose it.”
Albert Camus
National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party are presently on war of words ever since Omar Abdullah tweeted an order copy which talks about the allotment of 350 Kanals of land for the proposed “Sainak Colony” in Srinagar and Budgam, as he believes the same could be a ruse to settle non-state subjects in Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti while speaking to the reporters on the occasion of re-opening of Civil Secretariat at Srinagar, accused Omar, “Of spreading rumors and raking up controversial issues just to cause disruption of normal life at a time when the tourists have starting flocking in Kashmir”. She further asserted, “No land has been allotted to establish separate Sainik Colonies for Ex- Soldiers in Kashmir”. Omar while retreating the authenticity of the official document, has challenged, Mehbooba Mufti through a tweet, “if you have the guts and truly believe this image is fake, file a case against me in nearest police station TODAY !!”.
What is the truth, the people of Kashmir have a right to know.
The Jammu & Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board affiliated to Kendriya Sainik Board functioning under Ministry of Defense, Government of India, is an advisory body in respect of policy formulation with regard to re-settlement and welfare of ex-serviceman and their dependants. Rajya Sainik Board headed by the Governor, is holding regularly the annual meetings, in which the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and top bureaucracy of the State invariably participates. With respect to the allotment of the land for the proposed Sainik Colonies in Kashmir, the sequence of the events both in the board and the administration are believed to be as follows :
1. The Board after deciding to establish the Sainik welfare colonies at different places in Kashmir, has regularly monitored the status of acquisition of land in its 73rd, 74th and 75th annual meetings held on 01-03-2011, 01-03-2012, and 08-04-2013 respectively. In all these meeting the then Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was present, but he has never objected to establishment of such colonies in Kashmir.
2. The 77th Rajya Sainik Board meeting was held on 16-04-2015, which was not attended by the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Syed, who took oath of office on Ist March 2015. In the said meeting the Rajya Sainik Board headed by the Governor approved the establishment of Sainik Colony in Srinagar, near Old Airport, after the Secretary (RSB) informed the board members that Div Commissioner Kashmir in a letter dated 10th April 2015, had agreed for 173 Kanals of land at Old Air Port Road. But in view of the increase in number of the aspirants i.e 26 officers, 125 JCO’s and 900 others, a proposal for revised requirement of 350 Kanals of land has been forwarded to Divisional Commissioner and State Home Department .
3. On May 8, 2015, BJP MP, Tarun Vijay in Rajya Sabha in a special mention raised the demand which reads : “Making it possible to give a piece of land or well built apartment for 99 years lease in a city / area of their choice in Kashmir Valley to the soldiers who have served a minimum of three years in the Valley or the families of the soldiers who laid their lives fighting enemies in the valley”. The M.P was informed by the Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar vide letter No. D.O.No. 14(II)/2015-Res.II/343-F/RM/15 Dated 15th July 2015, that “the matter had been forwarded to the state government for appropriate action as the land allotment was a State Subject”.
4. On 11th April 2016, in an official letter State Home Secretary sought the status of the allocation of land for the proposed Sainik Colony from the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and the concerned District Development Commissioners.
5. The 78th Rajya Sainik Board meeting was held at Jammu on 21 April 2016, which again was not attended by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who took oath of office on 4th April 2016, and the State was represented by R.K. Goil Principal Secretary Home and others.
6. On 7th May 2016, the Separatist leaders, Civil Society, High Court Bar Association, reacted sharply and warned the State government against setting up of separate Sainik colonies for retired army men in valley, saying the move is aimed at “changing the demography of Muslim majority State”.
7. On 8th May, BJP legislator Ravinder Raina stated at Jammu “BJP is principally in favour of allotting plots to the families of the Army and paramilitary forces, who laid down their lives while defending Jammu & Kashmir”. Further he said, “Entire Jammu & Kashmir is national asset, like people of state can own a property in India and likewise people from other parts have the birth right to come and stay in this northern state”.
The National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party which are competing for being the champions of protecting the “Special Constitutional Status” of Jammu & Kashmir State, both, owe, an explanation to the people of Kashmir, as what is the truth……. ?. It is not important for National Conference and PDP to have all the answers but at least the vital questions it raises need to be answered through a “White paper”. All the relevant documents, decisions/approvals, official communications and residential particulars of aspiring beneficiaries i.e 26 officers, 125 JCO’s and 900 others, need to be placed in the public domain which alone shall reveal the truth and rest the genuine apprehensions of the people and the leaders.
(The writer is IFS (Rtd) and Member All India Muslim Majlis – e- Mushawarat. New Delhi. Feedback at qayoomkhansnn@yahoo.co.in)
