By IANS,
Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Wednesday issued notice to a local development authority seeking details about a farmhouse, near a national park here, for allegedly posing an environmental threat and over “inequality” in permitting construction.
Taking suo moto cognizance of a news story carried by local English daily ‘Kashmir Monitor’, the SHRC Wednesday issued notice to the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) seeking details about the farmhouse reportedly constructed outside the Dachigam National Park.
The SHRC notice says: “Local people who have genuine problems are being allegedly discriminated by the LAWDA, while same authorities have allegedly turned a blind eye to the palatial farmhouse.”
“The damage to environment and inequality is apparent and ex-facie revealed by the news story. Therefore, a prima facie case of human rights violation is made out. As such suo-moto cognizance of matter is taken by the State Human Rights Commission,” it said.
The SHRC notice has also been served on the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the commissioner/secretary housing and urban development department and the Wildlife Warden.