Row over demolition drive: Ansari refutes allegations levelled by College owner
BARAMULLA: The management of SSM College of Engineering and Technology Parihaspora in Baramulla district on Tuesday alleged that district administration demolished some structures in the college on the behest of a political leader.
Noisy scenes were witnessed in and around the college at Parihaspora Pattan when district administration officials assisted by police appeared outside the college to demolish some alleged illegal structures.
Pertinently, the college administration and former minister Imran Raza Ansari, are at loggerheads over several acres of disputed land. In past also there were incidents of violence reported in the area between the parties.
On Monday late evening a demolition squad headed by Tehsildar Pattan demolished a structure of the college. When College authorities alleged that some officials from the administration are doing it on the behest of Imran Raza Ansari and the videos about the demolition went viral, government attached the concerned Tehsildar immediately.
The attached Tehsildar Pattan Mr Salahuddin told news agency Kashmir News Trust that demolition drive was carried out on the directions of top brass and there is nothing personal in it.
On Tuesday a team led by SDM Pattan Syed Faheem arrived on the spot and again demolished some structures, sparking protest from the students of the college. Police in order to maintain law and order sealed the entry and exit points.
Dilafroze Qazi, chairperson SSM college alleged that demolition drive was carried out on the behest of Imran Raza Ansari. She said all is being done on the orders of Ansari.
“Why the officials from the administration didn’t show the demolition order if it has been issued from the top. Why structures were raised to ground without showing any official order to us,” she questioned and sought intervention of LG government and District Development Commissioner Baramulla.
Despite repeated attempts, Imran Raza Ansari couldn’t be contacted, however, Abid Raza Ansari told KNT that Imran Ansari has nothing to do with this matter. “The Revenue Department has also issued a notice against us and we are ready to prove that we are not possessing any portion of state land. Government has started a drive to free state land from the occupiers and we welcome it and are ready to cooperate,” he said.
He further said that SSM College owners have grabbed state land illegally. “It is not a charitable trust but they are doing business and maximizing profits,” Abid Ansari said and vehemently refuted the allegations that Imaran Ansari has any hand in it. “He (Imran Ansari) is out of station and doesn’t know anything about it,” Abid Ansari said.
SDM Pattan Syed Faheem was not available for comments as he was busy in a court proceeding. (KNT)
