Mufti’s hammer touch for Dal’s ‘illegal’ VIPs

In a case of blatant environmental vandalism, rubina trees standing in a huge area in and around Chesmashahi were axed and the constructions done in violation of all rules and norms.

According to top government sources, two plush VIP ‘huts’ belonging to Grand Palace, a five-star hotel owned by industrialist and now Rajya Sabha member Lalit Suri, also violate norms. Suri is a close friend of Farooq. Speaking to The Indian Express, Mir confirmed the government decision. ‘‘We have initiated a probe into the illegal constructions to clear the green belt where constructions have been banned,’’ he said. He also hinted that eventually the constructions would have to go. ‘‘Nobody is above law and the erring officials will be dealt with severely,’’ he said.

The minister said his government had formed a three-member high-level committee, headed by Kashmir’s divisional commisioner Parvez Diwan. The other members are additional divisional commisioner M S Rather and Srinagar deputy commisioner Abdul Hamid.

The sources said the construction work at Farooq’s and DGP’s official residences had been stopped. the DGP residence was constructed on land owned by the Toursim Department, according to the sources.

Mir said the committee would submit a detailed report within two months. ‘‘We have come to know that these high-profile constructions were carried out without securing permission from the departments concerned,’’ the minister said, adding that ‘‘no one will be spared and the law will take its own course.’’

Sources said the probe team today carried out a survey of the area and it is now likely to visit the Hazratbal area where, too, reportedly illegal buildings have come up.