Srinagar: District Administration Anantnag on Tuesday rejected as “untrue” the claims that it has evicted nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwals from the forests of Lidroo Pahalgam.
“Some political persons are making statements in the media that Gujjar Bakerwal people are being evicted from the forests of Lidroo Pahalgam and their Kothas are being demolished – this charge is outrightly rejected,” Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Kuldip Krishan Sidha said in a press conference today.
According to news agency KNS, Sidha clarified that no such demolition drives were conducted in Lidroo Pahalgam but added that “anti-encroachment drive was conducted against those persons who have illegally encroached the forest, wildlife or state land.”
He said encroachment drive was live-streamed on some channels and the photo, videography and other related documents have been submitted in the court.
He asked the people to not pay heed to the statements “made by some people without checking facts” and sought their cooperation in preserving the beautiful hill station.
