Post abrogation of Article 370, army makes first move to purchase land in Kashmir

Srinagar: Nine months after the abrogation of Article 370, the army has sought government’s permission to buy 129 kanals of land at Tapperwari village in the Pattan area of Baramulla district.

On May 26, the 19 infantry Division Ordinance Unit of the army sent a letter of interest to the government for purchasing 129 kanals of land at Tapper Pattan.

“Some troops of this unit are temporarily stationed on your land at Kareri High ground near Tapperwari village. It is requested to inform your wish to sell the land to the Indian Army,” the letter reads.

The army has requested the government to reply by May 30.

Tehsildar, Pattan S Salahuddin pleaded ignorance about any such letter of interest.

Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM), Pattan, Syed Naseer Ahmad, however, said that it is a letter of “requisition”.

“I don’t have any fresh information about the letter. According to the last communication, it is a letter of requisition,” he said.

This is the first letter of interest by the army after the abrogation of article 370.

The letter has gone viral on social media with netizens describing it as a fallout of abrogation article 370. 

Despite repeated attempts, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla GN Itoo was unavailable for comments. However, an official at his office said that they will look into the matter.

“Currently the administration is busy with Covid-19. The matter will be looked into very soon,” he said.

Pertinently, the central government last year informed that over 56,000 acres of land in Jammu and Kashmir is with different defence departments, wings, and organizations. 

Out of 56,000 acres, 18935.474 acres are used by forces in Jammu, 3737.845 acres in Srinagar, 2326.644 acres in Budgam, 2152.83 acres in Anantnag, 3963.03 acres in Udhampur, and 3529.871 acres in Kargil districts.