Kathua Administration Retrieves 35 Kanals of State Land in Bani Anti-Encroachment Drive

KATHUA, JULY 08 — The Sub-Divisional Administration of Bani launched a major anti-encroachment drive at Sarthal today, successfully retrieving approximately 35 kanals of prime State and Social Forestry land from illegal occupation. Executed under the direct supervision of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Bani, Sundeep Kumar, the joint enforcement operation saw active participation from the Tehsildar, SHO, Range Forest Officer, and Social Forestry Officer of Bani. During the operation, authorities cleared illegal crop cultivation raised by an individual identified as Babu Din on the encroached land under Khasra No. 192, and subsequently installed official State land signboards to prevent future trespassing.

As the drive intensified, the enforcement team evicted another encroacher, identified as Nazir, from the public property. Officials demolished several temporary structures that Nazir had illegally erected and sealed another permanent structure built on the encroached site at Sarthal. Multiple other minor encroachments and physical obstructions were also cleared from government land during the day-long operation. Following the drive, the Sub-Divisional Administration issued a stern warning that any encroachment on State or forest land will not be tolerated and will attract strict legal action. The administration further appealed to the general public to refrain from occupying government land and to cooperate with authorities in safeguarding public assets.