Babbu Khan
Srinagar, May 30(KINS): Days after the Army sought to purchase a chunk of land in Pattan Baramulla, authorities at the Department of Sheep Husbandry Saturday said the land is needed for livestock and can’t be given to the security forces.
“Army has shown interest to purchase this land but the government needs it for the livestock. It can’t be given to the Army. We will reply to the Army within two days that this land is needed for the livestock,” Director Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir Dr. Abdul Salam Mir told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
On May 26, the Army’s 19 infantry division ordinance unit had written to the Director Sheep Husbandry expressed its desire to purchase 129 Kanals of land in Pattan area belonging to the Sheep Husbandry department.
“Some troops of this unit are temporarily stationed in your land at Kreri high ground, near Tapperwari village. It is requested to inform whether you wish to sell your above mentioned land to the Indian army,” reads the letter.
The letter had sought reply from the department by May 30. 2020.
It is perhaps for the first time that the Army has directly written to the department concerned for purchasing land in the Valley.
Prior to the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year, the defense estates officer would write to Jammu and Kashmir government for getting a lease of the land required by the Army.(KINS)
