Varmul, Sept 10: The picturesque Lolpora highlands on way to Tangmarg here are being vandalized for illegal soil extraction. The smugglers have targeted government owned land along the highland edge at Manglore Wudar (Highland). This has endangered the adjacent orchards. 

 The villagers complained that in the garb of the ongoing unrest, the “smugglers” targeted the land. The smugglers, as per complainants, have been extensively using the heavy-duty JCB and tippers for the speedy extraction of earth.

 Interestingly, for the initial period the locals kept mum because the soil was being excavated from government land and they had nothing at stake.

 But as the illegal excavation continued unabated, it started risking the stability of the nearby highland orchards with some land area developing cracks.

 This irked the land owners and they knocked the doors of the district administration seeking immediate end to the soil excavation. 

 “We contacted the authorities, but till now no action has been taken… the day is not far away when our orchards will be damaged,” said a fruit grower from the area.

 The locals alleged that the “soil smugglers” were hand in glove with some officials.

 “Since the day we started approaching the authorities, the smugglers have changed their strategy… They (smugglers) remain away for a day or two and then suddenly resurface with tippers and JCBs,” the villagers said.

 The orchardists and other growers said the menace couldn’t be checked unless the police starts patrolling in the area.

 “When patrolling can be done for law and order why can’t it be done to check smuggling,” argued a Lolpora boy studying at Kashmir University. 

 When contacted the Divisional Commissioner, Asghar Samoon said the matter would be looked into and effective measures would be taken. “I will ask the Tehsildar and other concerned authorities to visit the area and take necessary remedial measures at an earliest,” Samoon told Greater Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST