Land Grabbers Defy Authority: Are They More Powerful Than the SDM and Tehsildar?

Amid Citizens’ Concerns, Land Grabbing Goes Unabated In Akhnoor With Impunity Even As Clear Directives Are Ignored By The Lower Officials
Despite a clear directive from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Akhnoor to halt illegal construction and submit a report within two days, concerned Patwari and Girdawar failed to take any action, allowing the construction to continue unchecked.
The unabated construction activities raise questions about the balance of power, with land grabbers seemingly defying authority and operating with impunity, challenging the efficacy of administrative control in the region.
Freshly captured GPS images depict the completion of four newly whitewashed shops, casting doubt on the administration’s effectiveness despite prior complaints and directives from the SDM.
When contacted for comments, SDM Akhnoor, Lekh Raj, expressed concern over the non-compliance with his orders. He has summoned all relevant officials to his office for a comprehensive review, emphasizing that anyone found collaborating with land grabbers and disregarding official directives will face consequences. He reiterated the commitment to dismantle illegal structures promptly, affirming a zero-tolerance policy towards rule-breaking and abuse of official authority.
Disillusioned residents urge the District Magistrate to take decisive action against erring revenue officials and dismantle the illegally constructed shops, restoring public confidence in the administration’s commitment to justice and equality.
The leniency shown towards land grabbers contrasts starkly with the stringent measures enforced against poor individuals seeking to construct livelihood structures, highlighting a concerning disparity in treatment based on wealth and influence within the administration.

Mohit Mehra

Akhnoor, March 17: In a brazen display of power, land grabbers have flouted official directives with impunity, raising questions about the efficacy of administrative control in the region.
According to sources the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Akhnoor received a complaint on March 7, 2024, detailing illegal construction activities at a ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’ under Khasra No 344 situated at village Dhok Jagir, Tehsil Akhnoor. The complaint was supported by a GPS Photo bearing No. VMR5+MH, Sungal, 181202, Lat 32.892306°, Long 74.658467° dated 02/03/24 10:16 PM GMT+05:30 showing under construction shops.


Despite immediate action from the SDM, through his directive vide No. SDM/AKH/23-24/2672, dated 07/03/2024, the construction continued unchecked, pointing to a disturbing trend of disregard for authority at the concerned Patwari and Girdawar level.
The SDM in his directive had clearly asked the tehsildar, “to stop the illegal construction immediately and further furnish detailed report to this office within 02 days positively.”
The SDM’s directive to halt the illegal construction and submit a report within two days was blatantly ignored by concerned officials on the ground. Neither the Patwari nor the Girdawar took any action, allowing the construction of four shops to be completed.
Once again, concerned citizens have captured a recent GPS image (No. VMR5+MH, Sungal, 181202, Lat 32.893211°, Long 74.657426°) dated 17/03/24 at 10:16 PM GMT+05:30, depicting four newly whitewashed shops with painted shutters and locks. This raises doubts about the efficacy of the administration, which appears to have been caught off guard despite prior complaints and directives from the SDM.


These photographic evidences serve as a crucial reference point, highlighting the timeline of events and the urgency of addressing the illegal construction activities.
When contacted for comments, SDM Akhnoor, Lekh Raj, told Jammu Jottings that he was informed of the non-compliance with his orders. He stated that he has summoned all relevant officials to his office tomorrow for a comprehensive review. He emphasized that anyone found collaborating with land grabbers and disregarding official directives will face consequences.
He emphasized that should the structures be deemed illegal, they will be promptly dismantled, with no tolerance for rule-breaking or abuse of official authority.
The failure to enforce official directives has emboldened land grabbers and encroachers, who continue to flout laws with impunity. The complicity of revenue officials in facilitating such illegal activities has raised eyebrows, with allegations of connivance with powerful individuals gaining traction among the local populace.


According to sources, the concerned Patwari and Girdawar seem to have colluded with land grabbers to facilitate the illicit activities on the ‘Gair Mumkin Khad’, granting them unchecked freedom despite the blatant violation of laws.
This leniency starkly contrasts with the stringent measures enforced against poor individuals seeking to construct structures for their livelihoods, further underscoring the disparity in treatment.
The sources further revealed ongoing illegal construction activities within the Tehsil, indicating a lack of oversight or intervention against encroachers and land grabbers.
The sources also added that that even revenue officials were complicit in supporting these influential figures, raising serious concerns about impartiality and justice within the administration.
This development poses a critical inquiry into their actions and underscores potential negligence or misconduct in carrying out their official duties.
Local residents are disillusioned by the apparent double standards in law enforcement, where the poor are held to a different standard than the affluent and influential.
The expectation now rests on the District Magistrate to take decisive action against erring revenue officials and dismantle the illegally constructed shops to restore public confidence in the administration’s ability to uphold justice and equality.
As the power struggle between land grabbers and administrative authorities intensifies, the incident underscores broader questions about governance, accountability, and the rule of law in the region.


In a society where justice should be blind, the glaring disparity in treatment based on wealth and influence raises concerns about the erosion of democratic values and principles