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Summary The locals gave call for a shutdown protesting against the provincial government's decision.
Locals in Poonch district of Indias Jammu and Kashmir state gave call for a shutdown protesting against the provincial governments decision to withdraw attestation and land registration powers from the judiciary and transfer it to the executive.The protesters shouted slogans against the provincial government and chief minister Omar Abdullah and demanded that this particular law be taken back.Speaking to mediapersons in Poonch on Tuesday, Mohammad Jaban, a lawyer at the Poonch court said that a struggle similar to that of veteran anti-graft crusader, Anna Hazare was needed.Our demand is that this draconian law be taken back. I would say through the national media that veteran anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare has our support in fighting for a strong Ombudsman Bill.Similar fight is needed to counter this black law here. The chief minister Omar Abdullah would be responsible for any disorder that will occur if this draconian law is not withdrawn. We lawyers and the bar association people peacefully demand that this law be withdrawn and let the attestation powers remain with the judges, said Jaban.Pointing out the details of the law, Jaban added that by giving attestation power to the revenue officers, the provincial government was trying to get it under its control. He said that it would be exploited.All the lawyers are supporting us in this cause and also the whole of Poonch was observing a shutdown in our support. Even transport services remained shut. It was not our personal problem but a problem affecting the people of Poonch.The attestation powers of the judges is being taken away and being given to the revenue department and to the revenue administrative officer. The problem with this is that these are under the ministers and the state government and hence can be misused, Jaban concurred.The Bar Association of Jammu with the support of the countrys main opposition the Bharatiya Janata Party on December 20 also protested and demanded that the provincial government must revoke this decision of transferring land registration power from the judiciary to executive.According to media reports, the steps were taken to improve revenue collection in the state.Ever since the decision was taken, court activities have been stalled several times in the state.
