Srinagar, Mar 18: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed Para on Wednesday hit out at National Conference (NC) leader Tanvir Sadiq, stating that land is peoples’ right and everyone knows who grabbed Srinagar’s prime government land.
“The bill aimed at granting ownership rights to people living on state land was rejected in the Assembly by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. Now they claim they will bring a new bill—we will see. InshaAllah, if it truly serves the people, we will support it.
The real issue is the problems faced by the people, especially the poor. Those living on state land—whether grazing areas, nazool land, or forest land—must be granted ownership rights over the land they have been occupying for years.
Some have claimed this bill benefits ‘land grabbers,’ but that is not true. When houses were demolished in Jammu, these same people went there to show sympathy, yet those houses have still not been regularized. In the Assembly, Mir Fayaz raised a question regarding demolition drives—around 1,500 houses have been demolished this year alone. Even after that, the government has not taken any concrete steps to grant ownership rights to common people so they can live peacefully in their homes.
Those who speak of ‘land grabbers’ are actually referring to wealthy and influential individuals. Everyone knows who owns land in Lal Chowk or properties like Nehru Hotel—these belong to powerful people. So when accusations are made against the poor, one must ask: are they referring to leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, or their associates?
If we start pointing fingers, we could question who has engaged in the most land grabbing in Jammu and Kashmir—whether in Gulmarg, Lal Chowk, or Gupkar Road. But our intention is not to indulge in blame games. Our purpose is clear: the people of Jammu and Kashmir are already suffering. At the very least, there should be consensus in the Assembly—whether National Conference or PDP—that people living on state land, grazing land, nazool land, or forest land—regardless of religion, in Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab, or Pir Panjal—should be treated fairly.
Those who have been living on such land for 15, 20, or 25 years, who had no land of their own and built small homes—these homes must be regularized. They should be granted ownership rights. We are not saying that all land should be regularized, especially large tracts accumulated by individuals. We are only asking that small residential plots—10 marla, 20 marla, or 25 marla—be legalized.
There are already schemes like ‘Land to the Landless’ and ‘House to House.’ But if people who already have homes on state land continue to face demolition, then what is the purpose? Demolition drives must stop, and forced evictions must end.
People deserve ownership rights over the land on which they have built their homes and lived for years,” said Waheed Para.
