RLD Leader Mohammad Anees Choudhary Demands Immediate Ownership Rights for Long-Term Land Occupants and Refugees in J&K
RLD Leader Mohammad Anees Choudhary Demands Immediate Ownership Rights for Long-Term Land Occupants and Refugees in J&K
JAMMU: In a forceful appeal to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammad Anees Choudhary, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) J&K unit, has demanded the immediate granting of proprietary rights (Malikana Huq) to those who have been occupying land for over 40 to 50 years.
Addressing a press briefing, Choudhary emphasized that thousands of families, including refugees and local inhabitants, have been living in a state of uncertainty for decades. He stressed that these residents have built their lives and homes on this land, yet they remain deprived of legal ownership.
Key Demands by Mohammad Anees Choudhary:
Permanent Ownership for Refugees: He highlighted the plight of refugees who have settled in the region for generations. "It is a matter of justice and dignity. These families have contributed to the soil of Jammu and Kashmir for over half a century; they must be granted full ownership rights without further delay," Choudhary stated.
Relief for Long-Term Occupants: The RLD leader pointed out that locals who have been cultivating and residing on lands for 40-50 years are facing constant fear of eviction. He urged the administration to regularize these holdings.
Ending Administrative Delays: Choudhary criticized the "red-tapeism" that has stalled the process of land reforms and called for a simplified, fast-track mechanism to issue ownership documents.
"Dignity Over Uncertainty"
Choudhary argued that denying ownership rights to those who have inhabited the land since before the 1970s is a violation of their basic rights.
"These are not just numbers; these are thousands of families who are the backbone of our local economy. The government must recognize their struggle and provide them with the legal security they deserve. A person cannot be a 'refugee' in their own home for 50 years."
The Call to Action
The Rashtriya Lok Dal has warned that if the administration does not take concrete steps to address the land rights of refugees and long-term occupants, the party will be forced to launch a large-scale peaceful protest across the Union Territory.
Mohammad Anees Choudhary concluded by urging the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to prioritize this issue as a humanitarian concern rather than a mere technicality, ensuring that the marginalized sections of J&K finally get their due rights.
