Instead of responding positively to Pakistan's initiative for demilitarisation of Kashmir, the Indian armed forces are acquiring more civilian land for expanding cantonments and bases in occupied Kashmir.
Kashmir Media Service quotes a study, compiled by renowned Kashmiri journalist, Iftikhar Gilani, who cites official figures as saying that that Indian army and the paramilitary forces, in between them, have acquired 41594.767 acres of land (150) square kilometre in occupied Kashmir.
According to the study, only in Jammu district of the occupied territory, the Indian army occupies 14379.324 acres of land followed by Udhampur and Poonch districts, where it holds 3816 and 3826 acres, respectively.
In occupied valley, the study maintains that 3581 acres of land in Budgam district is under army's occupation, and 3159 acres in Baramulla district.
The study goes on to reveal that Indian paramilitary forces are similarly in occupation of 2384.017 acres of land in occupied Kashmir.
The study quotes sources in the puppet regime as saying that they received a request from Indian Air Force recently for more than 800 acres of land in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. The land is needed to expand the Air Force's base.
This land is mostly under apple and paddy cultivation. If it is granted to the Indian Air Force, people from several villages, including Gulzarpora, Baigpora, Shala Tolina, Jungle Nar, Sonari Gund, Batapora, and Ranzipora will be dislocated.
As per the study, almost 100 acres of fertile land of the area is already under Indian Railways' control. The Indian Air Force is also planning to acquire 870 acres of land near occupied Srinagar to expand its base, the study shows.
The study notes with grave concern that despite talks of demilitarisation, 51 new cases of land acquisition, involving an area of 13075 acres, are under progress.
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