Chadoora (Budgam): The inhabitants of Branwar and Jabbed villages in district Budgam are on protest from last 14 days against the government for not compensating for their land that was used for constructing road under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
“Government officials had assured us that we would be given compensation for our land, once the work on Hanjura-Branwar road starts,” said a local social activist, Mohammad Ashraf adding that the road has been completed and the government is yet to compensate the villagers here.
Ashraf said that the villagers initially had opposed the construction of road. “We allowed PMGSY to construct the road only after receiving assurance of compensation from the authorities,” he said.
The residents of Branwar village alleged that in order to make the land suitable for the construction of the road, the government destroyed their crops and cut off apple and walnut trees and in return they did not receive a single penny.
The villagers in protest against the government have erected a tent to block the road leading to Mini Hydro Power Project Branwar.
“We have been left with no option but to block the road, we will continue the blockade till our demands are not met,” said the agitating residents.
According to the residents, the people of the area were also compelled to abandon their houses and live in tents. They said that around ten families are living in tents. “Our area is prone to landslides, the construction of road has added to our miseries,” said a local, Nazir Ahmad.
The villagers said that in absence of the retaining walls, their lives are in danger. “I can’t live in my house, as there is a constant danger of landslide,” said another local, Ali Hajam.
Showing strong resentment against PMGSY officials, the villagers said that instead of accepting their genuine demands, the concerned Junior Engineer and contractor are threatening to file an FIR against them.
Talking to the Kashmir Images, the villagers demanded that Naib Tehsildar and Patwari should visit the area and register their land publicly that was used for the construction of road and besides the trees that were cut off.
When contacted Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Mohammad Harun Malik told Kashmir Images: “We are still constructing the road and we have appointed a Patwari there (Branwar) for maintaining the revenue records”.
Malik also assured that in a fortnight, the issue of the villagers will be resolved.
