MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The local administration on Tuesday reviewed a six-month contract allowing to set up a temporary market at the city’s Neelum Park, and restricted the business activity to continue until Ramadan in a settlement to days-long controversy between the locals and the administration on the use of the park land.
Mayor Municipal Corporation Syed Sikandar Gillani issued a revised notification in this regard.
In view of the stiff resistance from the locals, the authorities have allowed the contractor to continue with the stalls until Eid – a decision also agreed to by the locals who have been protesting against the government for allowing a market to be set up on park land.
The locals protested against the government on Sunday for allowing a market to be set up on park land, leading officials to review a six-month contract and directing the contractor to wind up by end of Ramadan.
Residents of Ward 32, Bela Noor Shah, Muzaffarabad took to the streets in protest against the alleged encroachment on park land under the pretext of setting up a low-cost market.
The strong public reaction forced the local administration and the Municipal Corporation to revise the six-month contract that had been granted for the use of the land, limiting it to just to Ramadan.
Discounted market on Neelum Park land
The controversy started after the authorities legalized a discounted market on the government land.
The development resulted in mass anger across the population, which drove numerous citizens from different parts of the city to organize a major demonstration against the decision.
During the protest, citizens criticised both the district administration and the Municipal Corporation for what they saw as an attempt to hand over public land to private people.
The demonstrators demanded that the park be restored to its original purpose and that no permanent commercial activity be allowed over it.
Opposition Leader in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly Khawaja Farooq Ahmed also wrote to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir against ‘illegal’ occupation of Muzaffarabad’s Neelum Park.
The Opposition Leader said that the construction of shops in the premises of the park is illegal and can create a situation of conflict.
In his letter to Prime Minister Anwarul Haq, Khawaja Farooq said that on September 20, 2014, 100 kanals 11 marla land located in Bela Noor Shah area was allotted to the municipality for the construction of the park.
“It was clear in the notification that the park would be constructed at the said place, and if any condition is violated, the government will be authorized to take back the area,” the letter added.
On the other hand, the contractor has sought compensation from the administration for winding up the market before time.
Talking to Kashmir Digital, Raja Shokat Iqbal said that he was willing to give up the market project but demanded removal of encroachment from other parts of the park.
He said with the permission of the administration, he set up around 120 shops to give relief to the public.
He specifically mentioned a service station and a plant that he said should also be removed from the park land.
The locals have warned that the campaign against the administration will start again if the contractor didn’t wind up within the stipulated time.
