Controversial Property Seizures in IIOJK Target Kashmiri Civilians

In yet another controversial move, the New Delhi-appointed administration in Kashmir has seized properties of two civilians, escalating concerns over land rights and demographic changes in the region.

The New Delhi-appointed administration in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), led by Lieutenant Governor, has recently seized the properties of two Kashmiri civilians in the Kupwara district. The confiscated properties belong to Tahir Ahmad Peer and Mohammad Ramzan Ganie, both residents of Qaziabad, Handwara. The land seized comprises three kanals and 12 marlas.

Since the revocation of IIOJK’s special status in August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government has stepped up efforts to deprive local Kashmiris of their properties. These moves are seen as part of a broader strategy to weaken the local population economically while enabling the transfer of these lands to non-Kashmiri Hindus. Critics argue that this strategy is systematically altering the region’s demographic balance to further the Hindutva agenda.

The ongoing property seizures have sparked outrage among Kashmiris, who view these actions as unjust and an infringement on their rights. The consequences of these actions are not only economic but also social, as they could lead to significant changes in the region’s demographic landscape.

As tensions continue to rise, many in the region are questioning the legitimacy of these land confiscations and the broader implications for the future of IIOJK. The administration’s actions are part of a larger pattern that has been observed since the controversial decision to revoke the region’s special status, with many fearing further escalations in the coming months.