Iltija calls land grab in railway project’s name assault on Kashmiris’ livelihood
Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti has strongly condemned the grab of of fertile agricultural land in the name of a railway line project in the Bijbehara area of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Islamabad district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to the media in Srinagar, Iltija criticized the Modi regime and the administration under the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for targeting agricultural lands vital to the livelihood of local residents.
“Acquiring fertile lands for a railway line is a direct attack on the livelihood of people. This stretch of land, passing through Pulwama, Bijbehara, and Awantipora, is highly fertile and dotted with orchards. It is wrong to destroy it for such projects,” she said.
Iltija also highlighted the adverse ecological implications of the project, urging authorities to explore alternative routes through non-agricultural land. “The fragile ecology of Kashmir is already under threat. Satellite towns are being constructed without proper urban planning, further exacerbating insecurity among the people,” she added.
The PDP leader said the administration is disregarding public welfare, claiming the project aligns with orders from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs to undermine the territory’s economy.
“From firing government employees to snatching agricultural lands, the LG administration is criminalizing livelihoods,” Iltija remarked, demanding that the authorities reconsider the project and safeguard the interests of the region’s people.
