Ajay Sharma
Rajouri, January 29: Following a news report by Northlines regarding allegedly illegal construction of road through a forest compartment without proper permissions, the revenue department initiated a demarcation process, which is also mired with allegations of manipulation and distortion.
According to sources, the controversy revolves around a road construction project worth Rs 7–8 lakhs undertaken by the Rural Engineering Wing (REW) in the Nala Panchayat area, which has now been revealed to be within a forest zone.
Sources suggested that key revenue officials, including a Patwari and Girdawar, allegedly manipulated records to falsely show the land as non-forest property.
“The Patwari fabricated the land demarcation records, misleading not only the administration but also senior revenue officials,” said sources, adding that the demarcation khasra number assigned to the land does not match and pertains to the actual location.
They said that instead of demarcating khasra no.’s 363 and 366, the revenue officials demarcated khasra no. 393.
“In connivance with Girdawar, the Patwari reportedly secured signatures on a falsified report, which was then forwarded to higher authorities,” said sources, alleging that an ex-PRI (Panchayat member), reportedly played a key role in the scheme.
The fraudulent report facilitated the construction of the road within a protected forest area, a move that has now raised serious environmental and legal concerns.
Sources maintained that the locals are now expecting senior officers to take action against the accused officials.
“Interestingly, despite such an expose, the senior officers either seem to look the other way or have succumbed to some political pressure,” asserted sources, adding that they are closely monitoring the fate of public uproar on vandalizing of forest area.
Sources suggested that the Tehsildar of Sunderbani was already aware of the Patwari’s dubious activities, including instances of his partying in forest areas.
“If no preventive action was taken and accountability fixed, a precedent would be set where it would be free for all to plunder the forest and go scot free”, said a local activist.
