Removal of 127 Encroachers from Poonch forest Land, DB directs to file ATR or CCF, DFO & SSP Poonch remain present

Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir High Court Jammu Wing Comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal, took serious note on the non-complaince of court directions, directed to file Action Taken report failing which the Chief Conservator of Forest, Circle Poonch (respondent No. 2), the Divisional Forest Officer, Poonch (respondent No. 3) as well as the Sr. Superintendent of Police, Poonch shall personally appear in the Court on the next date of hearing.

          DB observed that despite repeated orders, including order dated 17th July, 2019, no effort appears to has been made to remove the 127 encroachers on the forest land to whom the eviction notices were stated to have been served by the Forest Department and on the 17th of July 2019, we have even directed police support to ensure eviction of these un-authorized occupants.

          DB further observed that time bound directions have been issued to the police and the forest department in this regard.

          DB  grants one last opportunity to the Forest Department to take steps for removal of the 127 encroachers on the forest land in Poonch and directed that  Sr. Superintendent of Police, Poonch shall ensure that the requisite police assistance is given to the forest department to remove the encroachers.

          DB grants six weeks time to file action taken report in this regard  and directed that if no action is taken, the Chief Conservator of Forest, Circle Poonch, the Divisional Forest Officer, Poonch as well as the Sr. Superintendent of Police, Poonch shall personally appear in the Court on the next date of hearing.

          DB further directed Divisional Comissioner Jammu to ensure that this order be complied with. JNF