Anti-encroachment drive: Lariyar residents in Tral allege ‘discrimination’ by the authorities, demand justice

BASHARAT RASHID

Tral, 30 Dec: The residents of Lariyar village in South Kashmir’s Tral have alleged ‘discrimination’ by the sub-district authorities pertaining to an anti-encroachment drive, in which dozens of trees were cut down.

The aggrieved residents have said that trees were cut down only on few portions of land, that too without any prior notice.

They said that majority of encroached land was left out without any demolition, ‘which is sheer injustice with those, whose trees were cut down.’

The delegation of locals told Arising State that they ‘suffered a huge loss’ after the trees were cut down by the district authorities, and added that ‘authorities should have launched a drive on ‘other encroached portions’ as well.

They said that authorities are mulling to construct a stadium for the youth, which is a welcome step, “but all other portions should also be freed from encroachers to ensure justice.”

ADC Tral S.A.Raina, when contacted told Arising State that “a drive was launched to create space for the sports stadium in the encroached land.”

He said that drives will continue on all other portions in the Lariyar village, following which the space for a health centre and a school will be made available there.