Allege officials mark inside property boundaries, demand fresh demarcation
HAJIN: Residents and farmers on Saturday expressed serious concern over the ongoing construction of embankments in the area, alleging that during the demarcation process, official markings were placed inside their privately owned land, triggering fear and uncertainty among them.
The farmers said they were not opposed to development projects, particularly those aimed at generating employment, but questioned why their land was being affected when sufficient forest land was available.
They urged the WUCMA department to utilise its own forest land for the construction of embankments instead of encroaching upon private holdings.
The residents said their anxiety deepened after demarcation marks were found within their land and embankments were subsequently raised, leading to apprehensions that a wall was being planned through their property.
They demanded that the authorities carry out a fresh demarcation to clearly establish boundaries and ensure that their land remains untouched.
Warning of strong resistance, the residents said they would not allow anyone to take away their land under any pretext.
“We have not encroached upon any land. This is our recorded private land, which can be verified through revenue records. We seek justice and urge the authorities to realign the embankment without snatching our land,” the farmers said.
Meanwhile, senior Apni Party leader Imtiyaz Parray visited the spot and interacted with the affected farmers. He urged the authorities to halt the work temporarily and initiate a fresh demarcation to safeguard the interests of farmers.
Parray said he was not against development in forest areas, noting that such projects could generate employment if developed as tourist destinations. However, he stressed that development must not come at the cost of farmers’ land and livelihoods.