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It sounds incredible, but it is true. A huge chunk of state land transferred to the J&K State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCO) for the development of industrial infrastructure in the Bari Brahmana area of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir remains encroached upon by influential drug lords in the area.

On Sunday morning, the authorities launched an operation to retrieve the encroached land, deploying a heavy security presence, as previous attempts to reclaim the property had been met with violent resistance from the drug mafia.

With the deployment of a large force, the authorities retrieved 50 kanals of encroached State land worth nearly Rs 60 crore at Birpur (Balole Khad) in the Bari Brahmana area of Samba district as part of the ongoing “Nasha Mukti Abhiyan” in Jammu and Kashmir and a broader crackdown on illegal activities.

According to officials, the land had earlier been transferred to SIDCO for allotment to industrial units but was allegedly under illegal occupation by encroachers, including individuals reportedly linked to narcotics smuggling and other drug- activities. During the eviction drive, carried out in coordination with the Police Department, the district administration demolished 33 illegal structures, including concrete buildings, kullas, and cattle sheds, erected on the encroached land. Following the operation, possession of the retrieved land was formally handed over to SIDCO.

Authorities Appear Helpless in Reclaiming Land from Influential Drug Mafia

During the recently concluded Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the government admitted that a substantial portion of State land transferred to SIDCO for the development of an industrial estate in the Birpur area of Samba district had been encroached upon by influential individuals.

In 2016, land measuring 522 kanals adjacent to Industrial Estate Bari Brahmana (Balole) was taken up for development by SIDCO. The Board of Directors of SIDCO, in its 135th meeting held on August 3, 2017, directed the corporation to expedite development of the land and operationalise the waiting list of applicants in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy.

Accordingly, allotments were initiated even before the Revenue Department formally transferred the land to the Industries and Commerce Department. Subsequently, pursuant to Administrative Council Decision No. 113/09/2023 dated November 25, 2023, followed by Government Order No. 200-JK(Rev) dated December 1, 2023, state land measuring 522 kanals was formally transferred to the Industries and Commerce Department.

However, of the total area, only 236 kanals and 10 marlas at Industrial Estate Balole were formally handed over to SIDCO for allotment to industrial units.

Interestingly, physical possession has been taken of only 86 kanals and 10 marlas. Of the 236 kanals and 10 marlas handed over, 150 kanals remain under encroachment and have not been made available to prospective entrepreneurs for the establishment of industrial units.

The government admitted that the encroachers are “still on the spot,” preventing SIDCO from proceeding further and creating law and order issues.

Thirty-seven industrial units have been allotted land after being cleared by the single window clearance committee. These units have deposited 100 per cent of the land premium prior to the execution of lease deeds.

The government also admitted that the remaining 285.5 kanals of land are yet to be handed over to the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Jammu, by the Revenue authorities.