Government stops work on police barracks in north Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 24 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed the state police to stop the construction work of accommodation for Paramilitary Forces on government land in north Kashmir.

The work has temporarily been stopped till the process of land acquisition is completed, Minister Taj Mohiuddin said in reply to a question by Shoib Nabi Lone in the Legislative Assembly today.

He denied Mr Lone's allegation that the police department was raising a police colony on the grazing land at Seer Tulibal, Sopore, in utter disregard to the public concern and without seeking proper permission from the revenue department.

He said in fact the police department had constructed an alternate accommodation for the paramilitary forces comprising two double story barracks and one toilet and bathroom block on a piece of government land measuring 25 kanals.

Mr Taj said the land was not grazing land and had been demarcated by district revenue authorities.

The Minister said this was done following a demand by local people at Sopore that security forces in the town hall be shifted to another place.

The member wanted to know why police did not sought proper permission from the government before starting the construction work.

The Minister said Rs 10 lakhs have been so far spent on the construction and the process of transferring the land to the police department was under progress.

He said as soon as the land will be transferred to police, work would be resumed.

UN BAS KD KP1614