CHARMINAR: Octogenarian Ameena Bee has been running from pillar to post for over two years, knocking every babu’s office door — all for a piece of land of 300 square yards granted to her son Syed Ismail Uddin who died during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
“My son has sacrificed his life battling against
Pakistan during the 1971 war. I want the state government to take note of his sacrifice for the country and ensure allotment of the land immediately,” wailed 80-year-old Ameena Bee, making a fervent appeal to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Though the land was allotted (GO No 92 dated May 30, 2005) by the Golconda mandal office authorities, Ismail’s family is yet to get possession.
Umpteen pleas to the authorities and rounds to the offices of Hyderabad district collector, chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA) and mandal revenue officer have yielded precious little to Ameena, who resides in Mohammadi Line. The sainik welfare office had recommended to the collector’s office for allotment of 300 square yards — either in Hyderabad and
Secunderabad — to the family of Ismail for his valour.
Syed Ismail belonged to 162 Fd Regt (field
regiment) and died on December 18, 1971, in a section hospital after coming under air strikes in
Bari on December 17 while returning to the command post from duty.
As the agonised mother continues to run around the offices to get justice for her martyr-son, Syed Habeebuddin, younger brother of Ismail, told TOI that the authorities concerned have, time and again, turned a blind eye to their pleas. “My mother had applied for 300 square yards as sought by the authorities and the relevant GO was issued way back in 2005. But the GO was altered later and a fresh GO (No 571 dated September 14, 2012) was issued and the file sent to the CCLA,” Habeebuddin said.
Recalling that six years had lapsed since GO 571 was issued, he wondered how long should they wait or make the rounds to the offices to get the land allotted. “The land was identified in Ibrahim Bagh by the Golconda mandal office authorities. Why can’t the officials simply hand over the land instead of forcing us to move from one office to another,” he questioned.
Holding back his tears, Habeebuddin sought to know if a war hero gets such a raw deal what would be the plight of commoners. “My mother has waited far too long to get the land. Will the authorities be sympathetic to a
martyr mother’s agony,” he said.
The family pleaded with the chief minister to look into the matter and ensure that the 300 square yards plot is handed over immediately.
Syed Ismail belonged to 162 Fd Regt (field regiment) and died on December 18, 1971