Mehvish Mumtaz
Srinagar, May 4 (GNS): In an anti-encroachment drive, authorities on Monday retrieved around 50 kanals of forest land and suspended four employees for helping the violators to carry out illegal fencing around the encroached land.
Reports reaching GNS said that some locals in nexus with some employees encroached around 50 kanals of state forest land at Aru, Pahalgam nearly a fortnight ago.
A team of officers led by Chief Executive Officer Pahalgam carried out a surprise inspection at the site today and retrieved the land.
“During the site inspection of undersigned along with AEE, PDA, JEs today, it has been observed that some encroachers have illegally encroached upon 50 kanals of land at Aru. As per enquiry, four officials have assisted the violator for carrying out illegal fencing on state/forest land,” reads an order issued by Chief Executive Officer PDA Pahalgam.
The employees, according to CEO Pahalgam, include Mohd Ismail Wani (Works Supervisor), Bashir Ahmad Magray (Road Supervisor), Ghulam Hassan Dar (SLW) and Mushtaq Ahmad Khan (SLW).
“In view of the above, pending enquiry in to their conduct and involvement of these four officials are hereby suspended with immediate effect and salary of JE concerned for the month of May 2020 has (been) kept on hold,” the order, a copy of which lies with GNS, reads.
Meanwhile, the CEO told GNS a few days ago that they have also demolished two huts in Pahalgam. (GNS)