Residents of Pohrupeth in north Kashmir's Handwara and affected orchard owners have strongly refuted what they describe as “misleading and baseless propaganda” allegedly being spread on social media by a handful of families regarding the ongoing restoration of a public road.

 

In a statement, locals said the issue revolves around a macadamised public road, including its shoulders, which had been illegally encroached upon, blocking access to hundreds of kanals of apple orchards and agricultural land. The obstruction, they said, has caused significant hardship and economic losses to genuine landholders in the area.

 

Residents stated that the matter is already under consideration in the Revenue Court, and all concerned parties had been informed about the scheduled spot inspection. During the official visit, authorities reportedly established that the road is a public asset that had long been separated from proprietary (milkiyat) land and developed for common use. Encroachments on the road and its shoulders were found to be illegal.

 

They further clarified that only minimal action was taken on the spot, including the removal of a few small trees, to restore access and demonstrate that no individual holds ownership rights over public roads or their shoulders.

 

Rejecting allegations of unfair action, residents emphasized that in cases involving genuine proprietary land, due legal procedures are always followed, including prior notice before any removal.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey added that, even in the present case, authorities have extended humanitarian consideration by allowing those claiming long-standing plantations of larger trees sufficient time and notice for removal.

 

One of the locals, Showkat Ahmad Dar, an orchard owner, also supported the move, stating that the restoration of the road is essential for safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring proper access to their orchards.

 

Locals criticized the allegations made by a few encroachers, calling them an attempt to mislead both authorities and the public in order to justify unlawful occupation. They also appreciated the role of the Tehsildar, revenue officials, and law enforcement agencies for their transparent and timely intervention, which helped restore access and safeguard livelihoods.

 

However, residents have urged the administration to ensure the complete and final restoration of the road by removing all remaining obstructions, including trees falling within the road limits, to guarantee uninterrupted access in the future.

 

The statement added with an appeal to the general public not to fall for misinformation and to support lawful measures taken in the larger public interest. (KNS)