Army to purchase occupied land in J K

Gigrial, on line of control, jan 16 (uni) The Army has agreed to purchase land occupied by it in Jammu and Kashmir, and will pay the rent to the landowners from the date of occupation, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today.

Addressing a public rally at this bordering village in Akhnoor tehsil, Mr Azad said he had a meeting with the army authorities and both sides had agreed on the three points whereby the army will purchase fields occupied from the land owners.

About the third point, the Chief Minister said the army had agreed to clear all the landmines from the fields, so that farmers could restart cultivation in their lands.

Meanwhile, the state government had decided to stop providing free ration to the border residents.

The government had started free-ration for people living near the border during tensions on the borders, as they were deprived of farming due to shelling from the Pakistani side as well as mining in their fields.

The state government will now provide all agricultural assistance to the farmers, the Chief Minister said.

The farmers would be provided free fertilisers and seeds to restart cultivation in their fields, he added.

UNI