Campaign against Tosamaidan firing range gains momentum Civil Society Groups Stage Demo; Seek UN Intervention SHABIR IBN YUSUF Srinagar, Aug 23: More people have started rallying around the campaign to oppose the lease extension to Army for Tosamaidan firing range in central district of Budgam. Tosamaidan Bachao Front, pioneered by J&K RTI Movement Friday staged a protest demonstration here to press for immediate shifting of the firing range from the meadow. They termed the extension of lease to Army unacceptable and presented a memorandum to the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOG) in Srinagar. Spread over around 3000 kanals of land, Tosamaidan meadow in district Budgam was taken over by the Army for 50-year lease in 1964 for the purpose of conducting artillery drills in the area. The Army has now approached the state government for extension of the lease as it has made a permanent base in the alpine meadow. J&K RTI Movement and Tosamaidan Bachao Front (an amalgam of Panchayat representatives of Tosamaidan area) has been set-up to press upon the government not to extend the lease expiring in July 2014. Today’s protest demonstration was joined by the members J&K RTI Movement, Panchayat representatives of Tosamaidan area, Tosamaidan Bachao Front, Rural Voice, Civil society Groups, and large number of people from various walks of life. They were carrying banners demanding end to lease. “Ending the lease would save human lives,” said the protestors. “As per official records more than 60 people have been killed and hundreds have got maimed permanently due to mishaps by unexploded shells,” they added. They said that from June to August every year, there is huge noise of gunfire and other artillery sounds in the firing range. “Many of the shells remain unexploded. Later, when the movement of people starts, these shells explode,” the protestors said. Protestors said the area has the potential to be developed as a tourist destination. “Due to presence of Army nobody dares to visit the place,” he said. The shelling by Army has blocked outer surface of the water body ‘Shup-Naag’ resulting in water shortage in the area as the spring is located in the upper reaches of Tosamaidan. “About 40% of its water comes down to Khag area while rest of it goes to Pakistan. Near about one third of the population of Budgam and Baramulla depends upon this lake for irrigation and drinking purposes,” the protestors said. They also launched a signature campaign against the proposed extension of lease agreement. The protestors and the other people present at Press Enclave joined the signature campaign against the proposed lease. They said the signature campaign will continue at all the district headquarters of Kashmir and will be then presented to the state government. “An online campaign has been already launched on change.org which has received hundreds of signatures from all over the world,” said one of the members of Tosamaidan Bachao Front. “We press upon the international community to intervene and build pressure on the government for ending the lease agreement and shifting of the Firing Range”, said Chief spokesperson, J&K RTI Movement, Farooq Ahmad Kuthoo. Muhammad Maqbool, chairman Tosamaidan Bachao Front and Sarpanch Brass village termed it a biggest violation of human rights. “We stand against this firing range and demand the government to end the lease agreement,” he said adding that the area can be developed as tourist destination and can provide employment to hundreds of unemployed youth of the area. Sajad Rasool, Programme coordinator J&K RTI Movement said that the “occupation” should be ended so that people continue their lives in a peaceful atmosphere and work for the development. “We request International Community especially UN and other Human Rights groups to mount pressure and intervene in the matter,” Sajad said. Others who spoke during protest demo include, noted poet and historian, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, Advocate Ashraf Wani, Sajad Rasool, Dr Riyaz Dagga, Dr Mushtaq Khan, Nazir Lone, Umar Javaid, Gulzar Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad, Ashraf Jahara and other representatives of Tosamaidan Bachao Front. Like This Page and Share This Page.. Support our Initiative...
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 04:32:17 +0000
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