After the eviction of government-claimed “illegal and unauthorized occupants” at Pahalgam, the former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday visited the higher reaches of the region and met the evicted families.

Ms. Mufti said that the government is pushing these nomads to the wall especially during the winter period after the government demolished Dhokas, a seasonal mud-huts used by the Gujjar community. She said the eviction of nomads is a part of last year’s decision, stating that such a move needs to be stopped forthwith.

Earlier, in the 2002 general assembly election in the erstwhile state, Ms. Mufti had won the Pahalgam constituency.

Ms. Mufti further warned authorities against such anti-people move, saying that consequences of such a move will be dangerous. She stated that these nomads who are being evicted from the area have been protecting the forests for decades now.

She alleged that already 24,000 kanals of land have been provided to the industries, asking the government to come clear whom it is going to provide this land. (KNO)