The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has given orders to stop construction activities in the health resort in Gulmarg, as media and political parties raised their pitch against illegal constructions going on in similar resorts across the valley, more notably in Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
The court also asked for a compliance report on the next date of hearing of the case. It was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on saving the Sonamarg and Pahalgam health resorts.
The court asked Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla, SSP Baramulla and Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) to ensure that no construction activity is allowed forthwith. Earlier, court had asked SSP Baramulla to submit a report on the illegal constructions. The SSP acknowledged in his report the illegal constructions that were going on. Taking a strong note of the report, the Division Bench has directed the state government to shift Assistant Executive Engineer of GDA, who was responsible for not letting such illegal activity take place in Gulmarg. Court has asked the government to submit a detailed report about sealing of illegal buildings in the health resort of Gulmarg on or before the next hearing that is in the last week of December.
It is in place to mention that former Chief Minister and opposition leader Omar Abdullah had recently expressed his concern over the matter. He had alleged that the violators were getting patronage from the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government.