Journalism of Courage
A day after The Indian Express reported that the Jammu and Kashmir government has fast-tracked identification of land for setting up sainik colonies, Education Minister and the government’s spokesperson Naeem Akhtar claimed that they have no plan to allot land for the purpose.
[related-post]
“Ex-servicemen belonging to the state have been demanding land for a housing colony. But no land is being allotted anywhere in the Valley,” Akhtar said Saturday. “These reports seem to be highly motivated and are aimed at disturbing peace in the state at a time when tourism and business have started picking up.”
The Opposition, however, is not convinced with the government’s response. “J&K Govt calls the #SainikColony issue “Motivated”. That may well be true but given this order who is the motivator?,” former CM Omar Abdullah tweeted with a picture of Rajya Sainik Board’s letter to State Home Department, saying the Divisional Commissioner has agreed to allot 173 kanals of land for the project. Separatists, too, have warned of serious consequences if the government works towards establishing sainik colonies.
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