The Kashmir Pulse

KATHUA — The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sprung into action following a written complaint received from a resident of Machhedi, District Kathua. The complaint alleges that Gulshan Singh, Patwari of Halqa Machhedi, Kathua, demanded a bribe of ₹5000 for the issuance of Virsati Intqal mutations and legal heir certificates.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the complainant utilized the online portal of the Revenue Department for application submission and subsequently met the Patwari for document issuance. It was reported that Patwari initially received ₹2000 as an advance payment and then demanded the remaining ₹3000 from the complainant.

Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the ACB took swift action, registering case FIR No. 02/2023 at Police Station ACB Central and initiating an investigation.

The official disclosed that a trap team was formed as part of the investigation process, which successfully caught the accused Patwari red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹3000 in the presence of independent witnesses. Following the completion of legal formalities, the Patwari was promptly arrested at the scene.

Subsequent to the arrest, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused located at Ward No. 21, Ram Nagar Colony, Kathua.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing, as confirmed by the official.

SRINAGAR — As the pen-down strike of Patwaris across Jammu and Kashmir continued on day 10, the stir is likely to end soon as a fresh round of negotiations has started, sources said on Friday.

Sources within the J&K’s Patwari Association told the news agency KNO that a fresh round of negotiations has started with the administration and that they are hopeful to hear a positive response to their demands soon.

“A series of discussions was held today with the administrative authorities where both parties had their say. Negotiations on timing on fulfilling our demands are going on, but as of now, we haven’t received anything in writing,” said a source.

He also confirmed that they are hopeful of a positive breakthrough soon on their demands, stating that ‘the ice will break’ and that they may end their strike soon as well.

According to a statement issued by the All J&K Patwar Association, its representatives led by its President Abdul Majeed Malla called on Commissioner Secretary Revenue Piyush Singla, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar, and Assistant Central Srinagar Adil Fareed in Srinagar in which some government officials participated via video conference.

Notably, following the strike by Patwaris across Jammu and Kashmir for more than a week now, people seeking Revenue extracts and reports are suffering and experiencing enormous issues.

While AJKPA are stating that they are forced to take this extreme step as they were given a written assurance in the shape of an agreement last year on their demands which has not been fulfilled till now, saying the government has adopted the dilly-dallying tactics.

SRINAGAR — As Patwaris across Jammu and Kashmir commenced their indefinite strike on Wednesday to press for their demands, common people suffered as routine work in Patwari offices came to a halt.

Several senior citizens, widows, property buyers and farmers who made various rounds of Patwari offices on Wednesday to get their documents processed told the news agency CNS that they suffered huge losses due to the strike.

Many people who were hoping to get domicile certificates and income certificates have also been suffering due to this strike. Even those hoping to get an income certificate and authorization letter from the Patwaris for various schemes were unable to do so due to the ongoing strike.

Meanwhile, on being contacted, the association President Abdul Majid Malla said that their strike is only symbolic to get the attention of the government towards their genuine long-pending demands.

“We met the J&K administration and put before them our genuine demands in the month of March last year,” Majid said, adding the administration then assured them that all the demands will be taken care of on a priority basis.

“On at least four issues, the administration said the action will be initiated within a month’s time, now that it already has been one year since then, we are yet to see anything done on the ground,” he said.

On being asked about the problems faced by the public, Malla said that they have no option left now other than an indefinite strike to press for immediate fulfillment of their demands.

"We are aware of problems faced by the masses but our strike has been forced by the government's failure to respond to our demands," he said and added, "We will continue our agitation till the demands are fulfilled."

The Patwaris are demanding the implementation of the written agreement between their representatives and the government on March 9, 2022, and resolving all genuine issues on a priority basis.