Over 200 Outsiders Granted Land in IIOJK Post-Article 370 Revocation

In a concerning development, more than 200 non-local individuals have been allotted land under the pretext of business investments in the disputed region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), raising fresh questions about demographic and economic changes being imposed after Article 370’s abrogation.

Official records confirm that the process of granting land to outsiders has seen a significant rise since the special status of IIOJK was revoked in August 2019. Before the abrogation, land ownership in the region was largely restricted to local residents, safeguarding their demographic and cultural identity. However, the situation has drastically changed over the past few years.

According to data shared by the Industries and Commerce Department, a majority of these land allotments have been made to individuals from states like Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. Most of the investors have chosen to set up their businesses in the Jammu region, particularly in the Kathua and Samba districts. The number of businessmen opting to invest in the IIOJK remains notably low in comparison.

Under the provisions of the so-called Industrial Policy 2016-26, approximately 28 businessmen from various Indian states were allocated over 500 kanals of land in Samba and Kathua districts alone. The size of each land allotment varied depending on the scale and nature of the investment proposals submitted.

However, the influx of outsiders accelerated further with the introduction of the amended Industrial Policy 2021-30, introduced after the revocation of Article 370. This policy paved the way for a broader range of investors from states such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu to acquire land in IIOJK under the guise of economic development.

Data indicates that nearly 50 businessmen from Delhi alone have secured land allotments in IIOJK. They are followed by 45 investors from Haryana, 43 from Punjab, and 14 from Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, nine businessmen from Maharashtra and seven each from Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh have also been granted land in the region.

The sharp increase in land allotments to non-locals has sparked concerns among political observers, local residents, and rights groups. Critics argue that these moves are part of a calculated strategy to alter the demographic composition of Jammu and Kashmir, while undermining the rights and identity of the local population.

The continued distribution of land to outsiders under the guise of industrial growth remains a contentious issue in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with many fearing long-term socio-political ramifications.