Srinagar, June 7: The inhabitants of Doodpathri in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district are up in arms against the authorities for allegedly preventing them from using their ancestral land.
 The inhabitants of Lanilab, Gurwaith and Mujipatri villages who mostly belong to scheduled tribe and lower economic groups, said they had been using their ancestral grazing land (locally called Behaks) for rearing livestock. And in summers, the inhabitants said they earn their livelihood by setting up makeshift shops and tea stalls in Doodpathri Tourist Spot.
 However, they said the newly formed Doodpathri Development Authority (DDA) is allegedly preventing them from using their ancestral land.
 “The DDA is not allowing us to set up makeshift shops and has occupied most of our dhoks (hutments) to convert them into tourist huts and other buildings.”
 “The DDA officials have asked us to purchase shops in the upcoming shopping complex. We want to maintain that it is our constitutional right to use our land and we won’t allow anybody to deny this right to us,” Nazir Ahmad, a local said.
 The residents also fear that the concrete structures would affect their traditional lifestyle.
 Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, Secretary Dr Javaid Rahi accused the authorities of snatching the livelihood of the Tribals in Doodpathri. “By haphazard developmental activities, the DDA is pushing the Tribals on the verge of starvation,” Rahi said.
 When contacted, DDA Chief Executive Officer, Zulfikar Muhammad Khan termed the allegations as baseless. “We have not denied any right to the Tribals. We are only constructing huts, rented accommodations and food courts for tourists. For this purposes, the Forest department has transferred the land to us,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST