Eviction order issued on Patwar Khana land encroachment in Shopian

Shopian, Nov 15: The revenue authorities in South Kashmir’s Shopian district have ordered the eviction of encroachments on state-owned land in Trenz village, following persistent grievances raised by local residents.
Advocate Ajmal Shafi, a resident of Trenz, told Rising Kashmir that the Patwar Khana land in the village has been encroached upon, obstructing the establishment of a Nayabat office that was sanctioned in 2014. “Despite the government’s sanction, the Nayabat could not be functionalized because the Patwar Khana land has been encroached. Villagers have been pleading with authorities for years to evict the encroachers and operationalize the Nayabat,” Shafi said.
He added that the Nayabat for Trenz is currently operating from Shopian due to the dilapidated condition of the Patwar Khana building, which also requires urgent renovation.
The villagers’ efforts appear to be yielding results, as the Tehsildar of the concerned tehsil, accompanied by revenue officials, recently inspected the site.
A factual report confirmed that encroachments had occurred on the land originally allocated for the Patwar Khana.
According to the Tehsildar’s order, 16 marlas of land recorded under the ownership of the Revenue Department as “Ghairmumkin Patwar Khana” in the Jamabandi of 1969-70 were inspected. However, the site visit revealed that only 4 marlas remain in possession of the Patwar Khana, with the remaining marlas appearing to have been encroached upon.
The order also identified three individuals living near the Patwar Khana as likely encroachers. Official records show they own only 9 marlas of land but are reportedly in possession of approximately 2 kanals, further substantiating the encroachment.
The Tehsildar has directed the Naib Tehsildar Trenz to re-verify the findings and take immediate action to evict the illegal encroachers. A two-week timeline has been set for compliance.
Residents of Trenz have urged the revenue authorities to ensure strict compliance with the eviction order. They remain hopeful that once the encroachments are removed and the Patwar Khana building is renovated, the Nayabat office will finally be shifted to the village, fulfilling a long-standing demand.