ISLAMABAD: The Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrip in Ferozpur near border with Pakistan that was used in 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, has been sold by the former landowners in Indian Punjab.
The police have registered a case and litigation is underway between the IAF and claimant of the land.
According to a British news service “a case of alleged sale of a historic airstrip of the Indian Air Force has come to light in the village of Fatuwala in Ferozepur district of Punjab. This airstrip, located near the Pakistan-India border, was used by the Indian Air Force during wars with neighbouring countries.”
The IAF has lodged the complaint with the authorities concerned. The alleged fraud of 15 acres of land worth crores of rupees took place in the year 1997 but police action has taken place in this case now. Punjab police have registered a case against a mother and her son in this case.
According to the police, the mother and son had allegedly sold 15 acres of land of the Indian Air Force land by claiming it as their property. According to the police, the land was acquired from farmers for the airstrip before independence and they were also compensated for it. But in the records of the revenue department, the ownership of the disputed land remained in the names of some people from whom the land was acquired.
Taking advantage of this lack of records, the accused, from whose family members the land was acquired, further sold it. The Punjab and Haryana High Court also had to intervene in the matter, only
after which action was taken by the Punjab police. But so far, action has only been taken against private individuals. No action has been taken against any government official. Former Kanungo (land record keeper) Nishan Singh, who approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, told the news service that the IAF used this airstrip during the wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. This airstrip has been in use since 1932. The Indian Air Force has also mentioned these facts in its complaint. According to Nishan Singh, this land was acquired by the Air Force before 1932. Currently, the Indian Air Force is in possession of this land.
The Punjab police have registered a case against the accused under sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation officer told the news service that according to the vigilance investigation, the accused was aware that the land belonged to the military. Despite this, he further sold this land. “The accused are claiming that the land is theirs, while the military owns the land,” he said. The IAF has also approached the Governor of Punjab.
Meanwhile, the people who bought the land have also approached various courts to take possession of the land from the IAF.
