IIOJK farmers fear for survival as India pushes for ‘satellite’ townships
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, revelations about India’s plan to convert thousands of kanals of agricultural land into so-called satellite townships have triggered outrage among local farmers, who see the move as an Israeli-style assault on their livelihood.
According to Kashmir Media Service, official data from the Housing and Urban Development Department revealed that authorities have identified approximately 1,298.28 kanals (65.66 hectares) of land across Pulwama, Bandipora, Jammu, Kathua, Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Poonch districts for housing projects.
Additionally, the Srinagar Development Authority has earmarked 3,000 kanals along the highway bypass in Bemina for “future housing development.” The plan, which farmers see as a sinister agenda to deprive them of their only means of survival, has been met with strong resistance. The proposed housing colonies include major projects in Pulwama, Bandipora, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, and Poonch, with large portions of agricultural land set to be converted into concrete structures.
Farmers fear the move is part of a broader strategy by the Modi-led Indian government to dispossess Kashmiris of their land and resources, similar to Israel’s actions in Palestine. Many, like 63-year-old saffron farmer Bashir Ahmad Dar from Pampore, have already lost land to previous projects and now face further displacement. “This land fed us for generations. Now they want to take away whatever remains,” Dar lamented.
Earlier, in December, hundreds of farmers protested against the Modi regime’s decision to acquire agricultural land for satellite townships. The move has also raised environmental concerns, as converting karewa land—known for saffron, almonds, and apples—into concrete settlements threatens Kashmir’s fragile agricultural economy.
People’s Democratic Party spokesperson Mehboob Beg demanded clarity on whether the housing units will be allocated to locals or settlers from outside the territory.
It is worth mentioning that Indian army and agencies are actively facilitating this land grab, with the trend escalating alarmingly under the BJP regime.
