JK govt orders eviction of Prime Forest land in Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered eviction of encroachers from huge chunk of prime lands in Mahamaya city forest in Jammu.
Financial Commissioner Revenue, Arun Kumar, today ordered eviction of encroachers in Mahamaya city forest, and restored the land to forest deparment, a Revenue department officer said today.
Kumar, in a much litigated and publicized case involving encroachment of 81 kanals and 15 marlas falling in village Dawara, district Jammu around Mahamaya City Forest area, has quashed entries fraudulently inserted in the revenue record.
In addition, he has directed the encroachers to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 to the Forest Department for causing unnecessary and undue harassment resulting in wastage of precious time and resources of the state.

Financial Commissioner Revenue has also directed the Forest Department to identify forest lands which are similarly under encroachment and report the same to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for further necessary action.
Besides, all the Deputy Commissioners are directed to ensure eviction of such encroachers reported to by the forest department after following proper procedure.
"The officers may also seek the help of Crime Branch, J&K Police to which the matter already stands referred for investigation," he said.
Let this case be listed after every two months on the first court day of the month for an examination of the compliance and work done by the Deputy Commissioners as well as the forest department, he added.