JAMMU, JAN 03: Residents and landowners of Muradpur village in Rajouri district staged a protest against the forced acquisition of their ancestral land for the construction of a court complex. Led by Rajiv Chuni, chairman of SOS International, the villagers submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, urging him to halt the acquisition or ensure fair compensation on Saturday.
As per the statement issued to The Newsroom 24 – Awaz, the affected landowners, primarily displaced persons from 1947, asserted that the land serves as their sole source of livelihood. Speaking to reporters, Rajiv Chuni described the acquisition as a grave injustice, stating that the land has been their lifeline since their displacement and criticizing the lack of proper notice and fair compensation.
The disputed land, spanning 75 Kanals, 17 Marlas, and 6 Sarsai, includes several Khasra numbers in Muradpur. According to the residents, the acquisition process lacked transparency, with lands owned by influential individuals being excluded. The district administration allegedly initiated the process without notifying or consulting the stakeholders.
Concerns were also raised about the compensation offered. While the administration proposed Rs. 9.00 lakh per Kanal, the landowners argued that the prevailing market rate in 2018 was Rs. 1.40 crore per Kanal. Chuni emphasized that the government must either halt the acquisition and construction or ensure compensation aligns with current market rates.
The villagers also warned of potential environmental and livelihood risks due to the construction of the court complex on irrigated land. They demanded the immediate suspension of the project and the cancellation of the acquisition process, citing unfair practices and lack of consent.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured the delegation of a fair resolution. He issued telephonic instructions to the Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, directing that land allotted to refugees remain undisturbed and limiting acquisition to non-refugee land parcels.
