ITBP denies grabbing land at Milam post

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 1

The ITBP has denied the allegation that it has illegally occupied a villager’s land at its Milam post on the China border in the Johar valley of Pithoragarh district. It said it had already paid for the land that it needs for future expansion of the sensitive border post.

The paramilitary force had to reply to the charge levelled by former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary RS Tolia last evening that the ITBP and the BRO had illegally occupied a villager’s land at the Milam post and were using the material of deserted buildings of villagers for their own purpose.

The ITBP in a press note issued here today said it has 0.903 hectares at the post which had been transferred to it by the special protection force that manned the border before the task was given to the ITBP. “The ITBP has always given the top priority to the security of the country as well as the interests of villagers at remote border posts,” it stated.

The paramilitary force said for further expansion of the post it had purchased a plot near the Milam post from the district administration for Rs one crore about two and a half years ago. “The land is barren and out of Milam village limits. Therefore, the question of the force grabbing the villager’s land does not arise,” said 14th battalion of the ITBP, which at present is manning the Milam border post.