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Transit camp for migrants in Kashmir's Kupwara poses livelihood challenges for locals

Reported by

Mir Aiyaz

Legal Review by

Aditya Sharma, Anmol Gupta

Edited by

Anupa Sagar Kujur

Updated by

Published on

February 20, 2024

February 26, 2024

Edited on

February 21, 2024

February 20, 2024

State

Jammu and Kashmir

Sector

Infrastructure

People Affected by Conflict

2400

Households Affected by Conflict

500

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

2

ha

Starting Year

2020

Location of Conflict

Khullangam Handwara

Near District Police Line Handwara

Kupwara

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Other Kind of Infrastructure

Land allotted for the construction of transit camps for migrant employees.

Land Conflict Summary

The Jammu and Kashmir government on November 4, 2020, approved the construction of transit accommodation for Kashmiri migrant employees recruited under Prime Minister's special package.

According to the government order, the approved transit camps will be built at six different locations -- Marhama-Bijbehara (Anantnag), Wandhama-Lar (Ganderbal), Fatehpora (Baramulla), Allowpora-Keegam (Shopian), Odina-Sumbal (Bandipora) and Khullangam Bagh (Kupwara) -- in the Valley at an estimated cost of Rs 201.60 crore. Of the total 1,680 units to be constructed across many districts of Kashmir, 288 units will be spread over 36 kanals and 14 marlas of land in Khullangam Bagh area of district Kupwara.

However, the land area demarcated in Khullangam Bagh for the construction of these camps was used by the villagers as a grazing land for their animals. According to the local Sarpanch, Altaf Hussain, nearly 500 families were dependent on the land for grazing their cattle. Several people in the village, who rely on their farm animals for additional income, fear that the population of farm animals in the area will dwindle with time at the cost of their livelihood.

Some of the villagers had even planted walnut trees in the said patch of land, which were axed by authorities. “For the construction to begin, 51 walnut trees are to be axed for which the government has decided to compensate the affected horticulturists,” a government official from the Revenue Department had told the Kashmir Observer on the condition of anonymity. However, the local Sarpanch told LCW that no compensation was given to the locals who owned walnut trees.

Moreover, a panchayat building, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 22 lakh, is also slated to be demolished. The local Sarpanch said that he approached the concerned officials to oppose the demolition of the building but his request was rejected.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

The villagers say that they used to use the land for grazing their domestic animals and many had walnut trees planted in the said area. This affected the livelihood of many locals who were reliant on walnut business.

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Type of Common Land

Non-Forest (Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Project underway despite protests

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

No

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

No

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

34.56

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

2020

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Legislations/Policies Involved

Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969
Section 2(e) [Specified trees under this act includes walnut trees, regardless of whether they stand on state or private land.] Section 3 [No person can cut any specified tree without a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this act.] Section 5 [Prescribed authority to grant permit only if the timber is required or the felling of the tree is necessary for prevention of danger.] Section 6 [Authority to refuse the permit if the specified trees are healthy, or if the felling is likely to extinguish the species in the local area.]
Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996 (1939 AD)
Section 35A [Trees on government land cannot be cut down without prior approval from the government.] Section 133B [Grazing land as notified by the government cannot be used for any other purpose without permission given by the district collector. Permission must only be given where land has been acquired permanently.]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

No

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-consultation with stakeholders

Violation of environmental laws

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

No

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

No items found.

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Jammu & Kashmir Revenue Department; Department of Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Newly constructed building at the transit camp Khullangam Handwara in District Kupwara.

Image Credit:  

Mir Aiyaz

A man standing in the midst of walnut trees about to be axed by the authorities for the construction of transit camps.

Image Credit:  

Mir Aiyaz

Video

The Jammu and Kashmir government on November 4, 2020, approved the construction of transit accommodation for Kashmiri migrant employees recruited under Prime Minister's special package.

According to the government order, the approved transit camps will be built at six different locations -- Marhama-Bijbehara (Anantnag), Wandhama-Lar (Ganderbal), Fatehpora (Baramulla), Allowpora-Keegam (Shopian), Odina-Sumbal (Bandipora) and Khullangam Bagh (Kupwara) -- in the Valley at an estimated cost of Rs 201.60 crore. Of the total 1,680 units to be constructed across many districts of Kashmir, 288 units will be spread over 36 kanals and 14 marlas of land in Khullangam Bagh area of district Kupwara.

However, the land area demarcated in Khullangam Bagh for the construction of these camps was used by the villagers as a grazing land for their animals. According to the local Sarpanch, Altaf Hussain, nearly 500 families were dependent on the land for grazing their cattle. Several people in the village, who rely on their farm animals for additional income, fear that the population of farm animals in the area will dwindle with time at the cost of their livelihood.

Some of the villagers had even planted walnut trees in the said patch of land, which were axed by authorities. “For the construction to begin, 51 walnut trees are to be axed for which the government has decided to compensate the affected horticulturists,” a government official from the Revenue Department had told the Kashmir Observer on the condition of anonymity. However, the local Sarpanch told LCW that no compensation was given to the locals who owned walnut trees.

Moreover, a panchayat building, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 22 lakh, is also slated to be demolished. The local Sarpanch said that he approached the concerned officials to oppose the demolition of the building but his request was rejected.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for compensation

Demand for better access to common land/resources

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

The villagers say that they used to use the land for grazing their domestic animals and many had walnut trees planted in the said area. This affected the livelihood of many locals who were reliant on walnut business.

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Type of Common Land

Non-Forest (Grazing Land)

Total investment involved (in Crores):

34.56

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

2020

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Legislations/Policies Involved

Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969
Section 2(e) [Specified trees under this act includes walnut trees, regardless of whether they stand on state or private land.] Section 3 [No person can cut any specified tree without a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this act.] Section 5 [Prescribed authority to grant permit only if the timber is required or the felling of the tree is necessary for prevention of danger.] Section 6 [Authority to refuse the permit if the specified trees are healthy, or if the felling is likely to extinguish the species in the local area.]
Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996 (1939 AD)
Section 35A [Trees on government land cannot be cut down without prior approval from the government.] Section 133B [Grazing land as notified by the government cannot be used for any other purpose without permission given by the district collector. Permission must only be given where land has been acquired permanently.]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

No

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-consultation with stakeholders

Violation of environmental laws

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

No

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Nature of Protest

No items found.

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Jammu & Kashmir Revenue Department; Department of Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:
Newly constructed building at the transit camp Khullangam Handwara in District Kupwara.

Newly constructed building at the transit camp Khullangam Handwara in District Kupwara.

Image Credit:  

Mir Aiyaz

Newly constructed building at the transit camp Khullangam Handwara in District Kupwara.

A man standing in the midst of walnut trees about to be axed by the authorities for the construction of transit camps.

Image Credit:  

Mir Aiyaz

Documented By

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Reviewed By

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Updated By

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Edited By

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