Farmers Demand Compensation for Land Occupied by Indian Army in Pattan, Seek LG Manoj Sinha’s Intervention

Baramulla, Feb 17, Hundreds of farmers from Pattan and its surrounding areas in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district have raised their voices over the occupation of agricultural land by the Army for the establishment of a military headquarters. The farmers are demanding fair compensation for the land that has been used for rice cultivation for over 200 years.

The farmers allege that more than 1,000 acres of fertile agricultural land, stretching from Watwaan to Trikolbal in Pattan, has been handed over to the Army by the civil administration without their consent or any compensation. They claim the land was their primary source of income and they had been paying taxes to the government for decades.

While the farmers have expressed no opposition to the construction of the Army facility, they insist that their land was taken unfairly and without due compensation. The land, which has been under cultivation for generations, is vital to the livelihoods of hundreds of families in the region.

Locals have also raised concerns about the silence of their elected representative, MLA Reyaz Bedar. Prior to the elections, MLA had promised to advocate for compensation for the farmers, but they now feel abandoned as he appears to have shifted his stance, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.

The farmers are now calling on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and ensure they are compensated in accordance with established laws.