“Tosamaidan Bachao Front formed in Budgam”
SRINAGAR: Reports that the government has decided to extend the lease agreement of three thousand kanals of land in Budgam’s Tosamaidan area with the army have drawn sharp criticism in Kashmir.
The J&K Government leased the meadows of Tosamaidan to Army (Artillery force) in 1962.
Pertinently more than 200 people have been killed by unexploded shells and continuous firing by Army at the firing ranges in the past 54 years.
Octogenarian separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has termed the government’s plan to extend the firing range lease as “unacceptable”.
In a statement, Geelani said that entire population of the area was facing problems and challenges due to presence of the army and its artillery.
“This has badly affected the economy and social life and caused a heavy loss to precious human lives. The land was leased to army for 50 years in 1964 and period expires March next year. However, the administration while ignoring the problems faced by locals insists for extension in lease agreement,” he said.
“If the area of 3000 kanals is vacated, natural scenery beauty of the area may become a tourist resort and in turn improve the economy of locals. The area is rich and famous for its herbal plants and there is every possibility for promotion of industry related to medicine.”
Forum Formed
Meanwhile an extraordinary meeting of Panchyat members, RTI activists, civil society groups and senior citizens was held at Brass village of Budgam in which ‘Tosamaidan Bachao Front’ (save Tosamaidan) was formed.
The forum aims to build pressure on the Government to shift the Tosamaidan firing range.
“More than 52,000 people are suffering due to continuous firing and mortar shelling in this area. The firing starts every year in May and lasts till October, which is not only a great threat to human life but has also disturbed and destroyed environment, wildlife, education and animals as well.
“The life of the people has been traumatized by this firing range. The children are born deaf and depression level is on rise among the natives of about 50 villages,” a spokesperson of the Front said in a statement to a local news agency KNS.
Chairman J&K RTI Movement Dr Sheikh Ghulam Rasool said they have extended their full support to the Front and will work on every stage to get the genuine demands of the people of this area fulfilled democratically.
