SRINAGAR: The State Vigilance Commission (SVC) directed Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Poonch and Tehsildar Surankote to take immediate steps for removing all illegal encroachments on forest land at Gursai Mohri falling under the jurisdiction of Forest Division Poonch while the DFO has been asked to submit action taken report personally on next date of hearing.
These directions were issued by the Commission after examining the report submitted by DFO and the statement made by Tehsildar before the Commission in a case titled “Zaman Hussain v/s Forest Division Poonch”.
Earlier, the Commission received a complaint in which the complainant has alleged that some persons have encroached on forest land at Gursai Mohri falling in Shahsatar Compartment 252/S block Samote Forest Range of Forest Division Poonch and have managed the entries in revenue records with connivance of revenue officials. Taking cognisance of the complaint, the Commission had sought a report from DFO Poonch and Tehsildar, Surankote. The perusal of report prima facie it revealed that 27 Kanal of land falling under Khasra No. 1206 is actually forest land and occupied illegally by Mohammad Latief and others.
Considering the reports submitted by DFO, Poonch and Tehsildar Surankote, the Commission asked both the officers to take necessary steps for retrieving the land from the encroachers early. The Deputy Commissioner, Poonch has also been directed to set the revenue records right.