Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement and Tosa-Maidan Bachao Front will not allow any political party to play politics on Tosamaidan. According to a statement issued to KNS, for more than 50 years no mainstream or separatist political party has come to our rescue but to our utter dismay political parties have now started playing politics with this sensitive issue. Said Chairman Tosamaidan Bachave Front and Sarpanch Chill, Mohammed Maqbool Magray.
Sarpanch Shunglipora and Vice Chairman Tosamaidan Bachave Front Mohammed Akram said that TBT is purely a social /peoples movement and we will not tolerate any political interference in it. He said that we have already announced to boycott political process till Tosamaidan lease is cancelled.
The decision taken to withdraw Firing range from Toasmaidan, and develop the same as a tourist destination will be historical decision of this Government after RTI legislation and Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) Act”, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Chairman J&K RTI Movement said.
Developing Toasmaidan as tourist spot will contribute to the local economy and J&K tourism industry as well, moreover the decision of shifting the firing range will prevent further human and environmental loss, Farooq Kuthoo, spokesman Tosa Maidan Bachave Front said. He appreciated the support of Civil Society and other social groups for extending their support.
The statement said that as they have stated time and again all the Panchayat members of this area will resign if lease agreement is extended in favour of Army, Chairman Panchayat Association, Master Maqbool said. He appreciated the role of media and J&K RTI Movement in bringing the issue in public domain.
“If the lease agreement is extended to the army for firing purposes the people from 52 villages of this area will have a sit in at the place of shelling. We demand complete shifting of this firing range from the government and we will continue our fight till Tosamaidan is vacated,” said general Secretary of Toasmaidan Bachao front, Molvi Maqbool said.
“We will go for mass resignations, initiate election boycott campaign and organise mass demonstrations if the lease is extended,” said local Sarpanches and members of TBT Tanveer Farash and Manzoor Rather.(KNS)