Srinagar, Oct 11, KDC: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ordered maintenance of status quo over the 17-kanal evacuee land popularly known as the MET Ground at Baghat Barzulla, Srinagar, which has been at the centre of a controversy following its proposed allotment for construction of government buildings.
Hearing a petition filed by the Football Association Babar Barzullah, a single bench of Justice Rahul Bharti, according to Kashmir Dot Com, directed that “the status quo of the football/playing field vis-à-vis the 17 kanals of Bua Ashraf Begum evacuee property shall not be disturbed,” pending further hearing of the case.
The court issued notice to the Union Territory administration and other respondents, asking the petitioner to furnish registered postal covers within four weeks for service of notice. The matter has been listed for November 14.
The petitioner, an unregistered football association, had approached the court against the proposed allotment of the land, 10 kanals for a Police Martyrs Hostel and 4 kanals for an office building of the J&K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, arguing that it would deprive local youth of their only football ground.
Reacting to the development, former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the court’s intervention, calling it “a huge sigh of relief for the entire community, especially the youth, for whom this ground is not just an open space but their only place to play, grow, breathe freely, and engage in recreational activities.”
She urged the police to respect the court’s directions, stating, “It is hoped that the Police Department, as the primary custodian of law and order, will honour the Court’s stay order and ensure that no further construction takes place on the ground. I request @JmuKmrPolice to enforce the status quo and halt all ongoing construction in compliance with the Hon’ble Court’s directive.” (KDC)
