“Distress Sale Act 1997 for Displaced Kashmiri Pandit community Ignored & buried in file, Justice Denied, and their Land & property continue under Siege in Kashmir”——-Kundan Kashmiri, President, Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC)

It is very painful, and unfortunate that even after more than three decades of time Jammu and Kashmir Government has failed to resolve the most critical issue of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community,s illegal and unauthorised occupation,of their left out land and properties in the Kashmir Valley.

The government and its administration have remained completely inactive and silent on this grave matter. Neither has the land and property been returned to the rightful owners, nor has any compensation been provided based on current market value.

While the distress sale act 1997 and Government in helm of affairs claims that District Magistrates ( Deputy commissioners ) are the legal custodians of these properties,when the truth on the ground tells another story. In reality, this so-called “custodianship” has become a hollow promise. It has offered neither protection nor justice to the affected victim Kashmiri pandit community.

Time after time, when displaced Pandits visit their native villages ,towns and concerned locations,they are shocked to find their land and properties either illegally grabbed or falsely taken over by local land mafias and land grabbers.In most cases, the district administration remains absent, indifferent, or simply non-responsive. The protective arm of the state, expected to uphold the law, is nowhere to be seen.

This failure becomes even more disturbing when viewed in the light of the J&K Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997—a law meant to prevent the forced sale of migrant properties. Sadly, this important legislation has remained mostly on paper. It has not been enforced with seriousness or sincerity, leaving the community vulnerable and betrayed.

Land grabbers today act without fear because they know the law is not being implemented. The authorities have failed in both duty and responsibility, turning justice into a distant dream for displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

The government must now act. We demand:Immediate implementation of the Distress Sale Act 1997 in letter and spirit.Public and updated custody records of all KP migrant properties.A dedicated legal and administrative body to address land issues of displaced Pandits.Strict legal action against land grabbers and negligent officials.Recovery drives to be launched to reclaim illegally occupied properties and return them to rightful owners.

We are hopeful that Government would give now heed to our request, rise above words and take real action.to finally give justices to victim displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

    [ Kundan Kashmiri] 

Community Sevak ,,& President KPC
Mobile No 8802267955
Email — kundankashmiri@gmail.com