Tehsildar among several suspended after 51 walnut trees felled in Shopian

SRINAGAR — The authorities placed under suspension a Tehsildar among several Revenue officials in Shopian after 51 walnut trees were felled without authorization in Keegam village of the south Kashmir district.

“It has come to the notice of undersigned that 51 (fifty-one) walnut trees have been unauthorizedly cut down in village Keegam some days back and the Tehsildar Keegam remained silent about the matter and did not bother to inform the undersigned or take any action against the miscreants,” reads an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Shopian.

The Tehsildar Keegam, the deputy commissioner said, showed negligence towards performing his legitimate duties.

“The Tehsildar stands transferred vide Government Order No. 35-Rev (Gaz) of 2019; Dated: 07-03-2019 as Tehsildar Headquarter with Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal but till date he has not joined his new place of posting and is still continuing his duties as Tehsildar Keegam,” the order reads further.

“In the above backdrop, Tehsildar Keegam Showket Ahmad is placed under suspension with immediate effect and Tehsildar Kidder is directed to look after the routine works of tehsil Keegam in addition to his own duties till the incumbent joins his duties,” the order adds.

As per separate order, Naib Tehsildar, Patwari, Lumbadar and Chowkidar of Keegam have also been placed under suspension with immediate effect and attached with digitization section of Deputy Commissioner office, Shopian. Moreover, Station House Officer, Keegam was directed by the Deputy Commissioner to lodge FIR against the culprits.

Complying with the directions, police has filed the FIR (32/2019) under section 436A of RPC. “We have started investigations,” a police officer said.