J&K politicos irked after law amended to notify ‘strategic areas’ for armed forces
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Now, we might not be left with enough land for our graveyards. It indicates that the people here are not able to decide the basic functions of the local government
NAEEM AKHTAR, PDP leader
SRINAGAR: The J&K government’s decision to notify locations as ‘strategic areas’ for armed forces and carry out construction activities has triggered outrage among political parties in the UT who have termed it as an attempt to further disempower the people.
The UT’s administrative council on Friday approved the proposal to amend the Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, and the J&K Development Act, 1970 to provide a special dispensation for carrying out construction activities in strategic areas.
An official spokesperson said the amendments proposed by the housing and urban development department will pave the way for notifying certain areas as ‘strategic areas’ in terms of requirement of armed forces and in such areas the regulation of construction activity shall be through a special dispensation.
“The move is aimed at simplifying procedures and will facilitate time-bound development of infrastructureofstrategicimportance. The approval has been granted keeping in view the strategic importance of certain locations and reconciling their security needs with developmental aspirations,” the spokesperson said. NC leader Hasnain Masoodi said, “Right from delimitation, domicile laws and now ‘strategic areas’, the end game is disempowerment of the people of J&K.”
He said the effective revocation of Article 370 was being challenge before the Supreme Court.
“These steps are not expected to be taken before the top court gives its judgement. This is an effort to pre-empt the decision. This is not in the interest of people Jammu and Kashmir and not even in the interest of the people of the country,” he said.
STRATEGIC WAR BEING WAGED, SAYS PDP
People Democratic Party’s senior leader Naeem Akhtar said a ‘strategic war’ was being played within J&K.
“They are calling it ‘strategic areas’. It seems the strategic war is now being played in Kashmir rather than with our neighbours in Ladakh. These are Israeli tactics,” Akhtar said.
“Now, we might not be left with enough land for our graveyards. It indicates that the people here are not able to decide the basic functions of the local government,” he said.
The People’s Conference in a tweet said notifying ‘strategic areas’ was an attempt to unrecognisably alter the destiny of the people of Kashmir. Construction activities in strategic areas is ruse to allow demographic change.”
J&K Apni Party said they will react after going through the entire text of the new amended act. However, BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said that it was a welcome decision.
“We believe in one nation and one law. J&K is like other union territories and is an integral part of India. If it can happen in other states and UTs why not here,” he said.