Governor NN Vohra during a meeting in Jammu. A Tribune PHOTO

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 17

The Army today agreed to hand over vast lands under its possession to the state government before March 31.The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting between Governor NN Vohra Northern Command Chief Lt Gen D S Hooda here today.During the meeting, the Governor reviewed implementation of decisions taken in earlier civil-military liaison conferences in respect of all land matters relating to the Army.After discussions it was agreed that the Northern Command Headquarters would hand over 16.30 acre of state land held by it adjoining the Jammu University campus, 212 acre at the Tatoo Grounds, Srinagar, 456.60 kanal at High Grounds, Anantnag, land held by it at lower Khurba Thang in Kargil to the state government before March 31.Restoration of land under Army’s possession to the state was one of the major points in the “Agenda of Alliance” of the erstwhile PDP-BJP coalition government.In case of land at the lower plateau of Khurba Thang, it was agreed that the matter would be taken up before March 31 when Chief Secretary BR Sharma visits Kargil.The Chief Secretary has been named as the chairman of the committee set up to deal with all Army key location plan matters.Regarding the Tatoo Ground, the Governor and the Army commander will jointly visit the site before March 31 and discuss certain proposals regarding its utilisation.

Governor reviews security

• Governor NN Vohra on Thursday reviewed internal and external security management issues during a meeting involving civil, police, Army and central Intelligence agencies here. The Governor was informed about the redeployments undertaken to strengthen security management in the aftermath of the Pampore terror attack. The meeting also discussed various important issues relating to the effective enforcement of the counter infiltration and counter terrorism grids along the international border and LoC in the Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Indian Army agrees to vacate large portions of land in Kashmir

Jammu: In a significant development, the Indian Army on Thursday decided to vacate huge portions of land held by it close to civilian habitations in Jammu and Kashmir and hand over the possession to the state government. An official statement issued here said that “in extensive discussions” with Northern Command chief Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, Governor N.N. Vohra reviewed the implementation of decisions taken in earlier civil military liaison conferences on all land matters relating to the army. It was agreed that the Northern Command would hand over 16.30 acres adjoining the Jammu University campus, 212 acres at Tatoo Grounds in Srinagar, 456.60 kanals at High Grounds in Anantnag, and also land held at lower Khurba Thang in Kargil. The land at Khurba Thang would be taken over before March 31 when the chief secretary visits Kargil. “Regarding the Tatoo Ground land, the governor and army commander will jointly visit the site, before March 31, to also discuss certain proposals regarding the utilisation of this land for creating a park, recreational facilities for youth etc.,” the statement said. The governor directed that the committee headed by the chief secretary will visit Jammu University, Kargil and Anantnag to fulfill all formalities on the spot and take over the sites. Vohra also arrived at an understanding with the army commander over the location of high altitude warfare school (HAWS) in Gulmarg. He will have a further meeting with Hooda. “The meeting also discussed issues relating to the notification of firing ranges at various places. It was decided that the chief secretary shall pursue the pending issues with the ministry of defence, particularly regarding the enhancement of the scales of rent payable for the required areas of land.” The demand to vacate these lands was high on the list of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to pave the way for her heading the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.