Jammu and Kashmir
Near District Police Line Handwara
,
Khullangam Handwara
,
Kupwara
Published :
Feb 2024
|
Updated :
February 21, 2024
Transit camp for migrants in Kashmir's Kupwara poses livelihood challenges for locals
Reported by
Mir Aiyaz
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
500
Households affected
2400
People affected
2020
Year started
2
Land area affected
500
Households affected
2400
People Affected
2020
Year started
2
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Infrastructure
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Infrastructure
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Infrastructure
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Infrastructure
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

The Jammu and Kashmir government on November 4, 2020, approved the construction of transit accommodation for Kashmiri migrant employees recruited under Prime Minister's special package.

According to the government order, the approved transit camps will be built at six different locations -- Marhama-Bijbehara (Anantnag), Wandhama-Lar (Ganderbal), Fatehpora (Baramulla), Allowpora-Keegam (Shopian), Odina-Sumbal (Bandipora) and Khullangam Bagh (Kupwara) -- in the Valley at an estimated cost of Rs 201.60 crore. Of the total 1,680 units to be constructed across many districts of Kashmir, 288 units will be spread over 36 kanals and 14 marlas of land in Khullangam Bagh area of district Kupwara.

However, the land area demarcated in Khullangam Bagh for the construction of these camps was used by the villagers as a grazing land for their animals. According to the local Sarpanch, Altaf Hussain, nearly 500 families were dependent on the land for grazing their cattle. Several people in the village, who rely on their farm animals for additional income, fear that the population of farm animals in the area will dwindle with time at the cost of their livelihood.

Some of the villagers had even planted walnut trees in the said patch of land, which were axed by authorities. “For the construction to begin, 51 walnut trees are to be axed for which the government has decided to compensate the affected horticulturists,” a government official from the Revenue Department had told the Kashmir Observer on the condition of anonymity. However, the local Sarpanch told LCW that no compensation was given to the locals who owned walnut trees.

Moreover, a panchayat building, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 22 lakh, is also slated to be demolished. The local Sarpanch said that he approached the concerned officials to oppose the demolition of the building but his request was rejected.

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

The villagers say that they used to use the land for grazing their domestic animals and many had walnut trees planted in the said area. This affected the livelihood of many locals who were reliant on walnut business.

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Non-Forest (Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Project underway despite protests

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

No

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

No

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

34.56

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

2020

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Jammu & Kashmir Revenue Department; Department of Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Author
Reported by
Mir Aiyaz
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for better access to common land/resources

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Project underway despite protests

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

No

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

No

Source/Reference

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