Shopian : The Tehsildar of Shopian has issued an official order for the removal of illegal encroachments on state land in the Trenz area, sparking a mix of hope and caution among local residents. The order directs the Naib Tehsildar of Trenz to clear the encroached land within two weeks.
The decision follows a comprehensive report from the GQ Circle Shopian, which revealed that 16 Marlas of land, categorized as *Ghairmumkin Patwar Khana*, had been unlawfully occupied by three individuals—Mehraj Din, Mohd Akbar, and Mushtaq Ahmed, all sons of Noor Ah Shah, residents of Trenz. The land, originally designated for Patwar Khana purposes, now only has 4 Marlas in legitimate use, with the remaining 12 Marlas taken over by the individuals in question.
An inspection confirmed the encroachment, with the encroachers having set up tin sheets along their land’s boundaries, bordering both a road and a canal. Though registered as owners of 9 Marlas, the encroachers were found to control approximately 2 Kanals of land at the site, further cementing the encroachment claims.
Local activists, who have been urging the government to take action for years, have largely welcomed the Tehsildar’s directive. However, they stress the importance of prompt enforcement. “We are thankful for the Tehsildar’s intervention, but the real test will be in the implementation. We filed the first complaint about this encroachment in 2021, and while multiple orders have been issued since, none have been fully executed. We are hopeful that this time, the authorities will take decisive action,” said Advocate Ajmal Shah, a leading local activist.
Despite the support for the Tehsildar’s order, there is a sense of skepticism among some residents, who point to past failures to enforce similar directives. As the two-week deadline approaches, all eyes are on the authorities to see if they will follow through on the order and finally restore the land for its intended public use. The coming days will determine whether this order results in lasting change or remains just another unfulfilled promise.
