Bernala resident seeks JIT probe into alleged land occupation, revenue irregularities

MIRPUR, Oct 6 (APP):A resident of Bernala, Malik Pervez Awan, has alleged that he and his family have been facing prolonged hardships over a land dispute, accusing Mirza Nawaz and his son Asad Nawaz of illegally occupying their property and subjecting them to litigation and pressure.

Addressing a press conference at the Kashmir Press Club here on Tuesday, Malik Pervez Awan alleged that Mirza Nawaz, during his lifetime, had occupied their land, while his son Asad Nawaz was allegedly continuing the practice by using his legal influence and having what he described as baseless cases registered against him and his associates. He claimed that the dispute had caused severe mental distress to his family.

He alleged that although Mirza Nawaz owned around 132 kanals of land, he had occupied nearly 405 kanals. He further claimed that the girdawari (revenue crop record) relating to his land had been cancelled and the property forcibly occupied. He also alleged that cases had been registered against him in Bernala, Bhimber and Mirpur through intimidation, pressure and influence, while he and his associates had allegedly received threats of serious consequences, including being implicated in a murder case.

Blaming alleged irregularities in revenue records for aggravating the dispute, Malik Pervez Awan appealed to the AJK Prime Minister, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of AJK, Chief Justice of the High Court of AJK and Revenue Minister to constitute a Joint Investigation Team (JIT). He also urged the proposed team to examine all relevant records, conduct fresh land measurements, scrutinise girdawari records and review cases linked to the dispute, saying he would continue pursuing the matter through legal forums until justice was delivered.