Udhampur, 29 May (H.S.): R S Pathania, BJP MLA from Udhampur East, has accused the Air Force authorities and local administration of playing an “extra-constitutional role” and violating the legal rights of local landowners. He has threatened to launch a large-scale agitation if the illegal, extra constitutional notices are not immediately withdrawn.
Addressing an emergency meeting held in Village Kashirah of Tehsil Udhampur, here today, Pathania tore away these notices in public view and said:”Papers which have no sanctity in law, legal sense and jurisprudence deserve to be trashed like this”.
The BJP MLA alleged that land stretching from Dhar Road up to the Air Force Station at Udhampur was taken over by Air Force authorities without paying any compensation to rightful claimants. “It is an accepted legal position that no one can be deprived of their property except in accordance with due process of law,” he stated, adding, “The State cannot arbitrarily acquire anyone’s land without paying due compensation.”
Displaying a letter received from the Air Force authorities, Pathania said, the Air Force claims the Right of Way (ROW) of the road is 34 feet 17 feet on each side. However, he pointed out that following recent operations, the authorities have started placing signboards and marking land far beyond this limit on private lands. “Notices have also been issued through the district administration asking locals to vacate land up to 50 feet ROW, which is illegal and completely unwarranted,’ he said.
“The existing road already provides sufficient width for incoming and outgoing traffic. The current moves by the authorities are nothing but an attempt to harass and dispossess law-abiding citizens,” Pathania said.
He asserted that any legitimate expansion or acquisition should follow legal procedures, including fair compensation and formal acquisition plans.
Calling upon the Air Force and district administration to desist from such “adventurous” activities, Pathania warned that any further encroachments would be met with “fire and brimstone.” He declared full support from all 28 BJP MLAs in the state for the affected people and vowed to defend the rights of local residents through peaceful yet firm resistance.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
