Anantnag DC asks Army to vacate sports stadium

Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, January 20

Anantnag Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Younis Malik today wrote to the Army, asking it to vacate a sports stadium at Shamsipora village in the district.

The Army, which has occupied the stadium for the last three days, intends to establish a full-fledged camp on the land. Shamsipora residents held protests outside the DC office for two consecutive days, asking the district administration to intervene and make the Army vacate the land.

The DC had on Friday afternoon assured the protesters that the Army would vacate the stadium by the evening. However, the Army has so far refused to leave.

Taking the matter further, Malik today wrote to the Commandant of the 2 Rashtriya Rifles in Anantnag. “Reportedly, your unit is setting up a camp at the sports stadium at Shamsipora in Anantnag tehsil,” the letter read.

It further informed the Commandant that the people of the area was vehemently opposing the setting up of a camp as the stadium was surrounded by villages. It said the move would cause inconvenience to villagers.

Victor Force GOC Maj Gen BS Raju said his local commandant was discussing the issue with the DC. “Let’s see what is the outcome of the discussion. We are open to relocating the camp if the district administration provides us an alternative space,” the GOC said.