PDA’s demolition drive axe falls on Poor Phalgam inhabitants

PDA’s demolition drive axe falls on Poor Phalgam inhabitants,

Saahil Suhail

Anantnag, August 2: Just to hide its failure in implementing the high court ban on constructions in its jurisdiction in letter and spirit, Phalgam Development authority has started enacting ‘demolition drive’ drama by targeting the helpless and poor residents of the areas adjacent to Phalgam falling under the ambit of PDA. However locals, demanding action against the rich and influential violators including Son-in-Law of Heath Minister Taj-Mohiduin, continue to resist the efforts of Development authority.

Reports said that this morning, a team of Phalgam Development Authority along with revenue officials arrived in Movera of Phalgam along with machinery to carry out demolition of structures raised illegally on the river bank. They said the team entered into newly constructed hotel of Mohd Altaf Butto and damaged the lawn of the hotel on which the Srinagar based hotelier was laying tiles and cement.

Locals, who are up in the arms against the development authority for selectively damaging the residential houses of local inhabitants, told Early Times that the demolition team without touching the illegally constructed huts and hotels enetered into Movera village and demolished the residential house of one identified as Mohd Ramazn Raina r/o Mohd sultan Raina.

“I am the resident of this village and besides it without any notice they came and demolished my house which I was constructing.” Mohd Ramzan told early Times, adding he had sold jewelry of her wife for constructing the house which was completely demolished by the PDA today.

He said that PDA was targeting only poor and helpless while as has not mustered courage to touch the illegal construction raised by rich and influential.

“If we fall under PDA then PDA has done for the development of our village?” Ramzan questioned and said that he hasn’t violated the rules as his damaged house is 2000 feet’s away from the river lidder bank.

He also questioned the timing of demolition drive carried out by the development authority and said, “Why Now? What were they doing till these illegal constructed hotels and huts got erected here?”

Locals who stalled the demolition drive and clashed with the demolition drive team demanding action against rich and poor. “We will not allow selective demolition of structures here if PDA was the courage; show us by demolishing the illegally constructed hotels of Son-In-Law of health Minister Taj-Mohidun.” Locals told early Times.  

Tariq Ahmad Taing, Son-in-Law of state Health Minister Taj-Mohidun has constructed three hotels in the same area during previous years while as according to locals he is carrying out minor construction works during night ours with a proper deal with PDA.

Demolition drive of the Phalgam Development Authority was ealier stalled by Locals in Pashward Batkote after the PDA reached in area to demolish the commercial structures of a local resident; however the team returned back without touching the building.

Pertinently, High court has put a ban over raising constructions in Phalgam and its adjacent areas, however the enforcement agencies particularly evidently failed to implement the ban as it allegedly facilitated the rich and influential for carrying out the constructions.