Stringent 144 CrPC restrictions by DM in Rajouri town passed off peacefully. Restrictions imposed after land dispute between two communities.

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, SEPTEMBER 09:—On Friday morning, District Magistrate (DM) Rajouri, Vikas Kundal in his order imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC (undeclared curfew) in some parts of Rajouri Township after the apprehension of law & order problems in the wake of a land dispute between the two communities.
The land of peace is situated in a Mohalla dominated by the Hindu community and about one hundred meters from Jama Masjid.
Muslims claim that it was a mosque, which was damaged reportedly during or before 1947 while Hindus claim that the land belongs to them and in the past Ram Leela was conducted at this place.
Muslims claimed that vide Secretary to Govt, Auqaf Affairs Department notification issued on 21/10 1982 (under SRO 446) and in the published list of ‘Wakafs’ in Rajouri city the land in question appears at No.37 under the title Masjid Chowgan.
Before the onset of Covid-19, some activists associated with Muslim welfare/social organisation had initiated the construction work on this piece of land but was stopped.
Recently, when they again took the construction work in hand, an objection was raised by the opposite party challenging their authenticity to carry out construction work as the land belongs to Auqaf.
Meanwhile, Auqaf authorities, headed by its Chairman, Imran Kataria (Assistant Commissioner Revenue), took control of the land in question.
“The matter has already been brought in the notice of higher concerned authorities and after threadbare discussions, it was decided to attach the disputed land under section 145 CRPC” said Imran Kataria.
As the matter amounting to law & order problems, the District Administration in consultation with higher authorities including J&K Waqf Board Chairperson, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, on Thursday (8/9/2022) attached the land in question under section 145 CRPC and placed under the ‘spurdnama’ (custody) of SHO Rajouri.
“As reported by the Patwari halqa Rampur (presently known as Rajouri) there is a dispute over the land bearing khasra No. 693 Abadhi Deh Rampur village. As reported by in-charge police-post Rajouri city & Naib Tehsildar the subject land is claimed by two communities and there are apprehensions of law & order” read Tehsildar attachment order No.JCR/224 dt 8/9/2022.
“The subject land is attached under section 145 Cr PC, and placed under the ‘spurdnama of SHO Rajouri till the case is decided by the competent court of law” Order further read.
Soon afterTehsildar’s attachment order, in a meeting attended by prominent social, religious, and political Muslim representatives, it was decided to hold a protest against the attachment order after Friday prayers.
Fearing law & order problems after Friday prayers, the District Magistrate imposed precautionary restrictions under section 144 CrPC.
‘The restrictions under section 144 CrPC were imposed as a precautionary measure after some reports of protests and subsequently to maintain law & order and peace in the town” said Vikas Kundal, DM.
He added the restrictions passed off peacefully and were lifted in the evening.
According to reports, the District Administration is likely to hold separate meetings on Saturday with prominent representatives from both communities followed by a joint meeting in order to defuse the tension amicably and peacefully.