Srinagar: NIA has sought a full-fledged and "secure" accommodation for
office-cum-residential purposes for its personnel at high-security
Gupkhar Srinagar.
According to an application addressed to Chief Secretary, a copy of
which lies with GNS, NIA has cited threats to its personnel who visit
Srinagar frequently and seek accommodation in guesthouses, barracks
of BSF, CRPF and police.
“We are facing lot of difficulties in detaining/questioning suspects /
accused, in absence of our own office,” NIA said, adding "NIA has taken
up investigation of a number of sensitive cases in the State of Jammu &
Kashmir including attacks on vital security installations at Uri, Nagrota,
Langate, Lethopora, and Udhampur".
Besides, the NIA said, that it has also been investigating militant
funding related cases in the valley in which several "high profile
Hurriyat/ separatist activists have been arrested".
"It is therefore requested that a built-up secure accommodation
already existing at the Gupkar Road, Srinagar may kindly be allotted to
the NIA for office-cum-residential purposes," the NIA said.
NIA officials are required to camp at Srinagar continuously for long
periods for investigation related work, reads the application. There
have been instances of threats to the life of NIA personnel who visit
Srinagar frequently, it said.
Meanwhile, the NIA further said that the Jammu Development of
Authority had allotted 2 ½ acres of land (20 kanals ) falling under Khasra
No.119 in village Majeen to it at a cost of Rs.3.61 crore residential
complex of NIA Branch office, Jammu.
"The amount of Rs. 3.61 crore towards acquisition of this land was paid
to JDA on 16-06-2017. However, the land has still not been transferred
to NIA by JDA," the NIA said and urged the chief secretary to look into
both matters "personally".
"May I, therefore, request you to look into both the matters personally
and direct the concerned authorities to allot one ready built safe
accommodation at Gupkar Road Srinagar and expedite the transfer of
the above piece of land in Jammu so that the construction work could
be commenced without any further delay," the NIA added.
"In the year 2016, Government of India had approved established of a
Branch office of NIA at Jammu which started functioning from a rented
accommodation on 1 September 2016".
“Keeping in view the vulnerability of its personnel from the security
point of view, Government of Jammu & Kashmir was requested by NIA
for allotment of 03 acres of land for construction of its office and
residential complex.”
The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) allotted 2 ½ acres of land (20
kanals ) falling under Khasra No.119 in village Majeen to NIA at a cost of
Rs.3.61 crore vide letter No. JDA/Land/203 dated 18-01-2017 and dated
23-02-2017. The amount of Rs.3.61 crore towards acquisition of this
land was paid to JDA on 16.06.2017. However, the land has still not
been transferred to NIA by JDA.
“I shall be grateful, if you could look into the matter personally and
direct the concerned authorities to expedite the transfer of the above
piece of land so that the construction work could be commenced at the
earliest,” reads the letter written by an NIA officer. (GNS)
