Army fails to vacate historical buildings 
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 27
The Army authorities here don’t seem to be interested in implementing the orders of the defence minister regarding the vacation of troops from government buildings and public places.
With the November 30 deadline set by defence minister A.K. Anthony for the vacation of troops from government buildings and public places having passed, troops of the army continue to occupy some of the buildings.
Interestingly, the buildings were the troops are stationed are the “historical buildings.” Tourism experts state that these buildings can serve as “heritage tourism sites” and can earn huge revenue for the state.
“It is ironical that even though the army authorities here have vacated most of the government buildings occupied by them. But they have not vacated the historical buildings or “forts”, rued a tourism department official.
“These forts can attract a large number of tourists since they form important sites for promoting heritage tourism.”
Sources in the district administration identified the historical buildings under the occupation of the army as - Thanamandi fort, Rajouri fort and Chingus fort.
They said Thanamandi Fort was occupied by the 13 Sector Romeo Force and serve as its sector headquarters, while the 25 Infantry Division occupied the Rajouri and Chingus Fort.
However, an army officer said on the condition of anonymity, that the troops would vacate the buildings very soon. “We have almost vacated the Chingus Fort. We are looking for some alternate accommodation in Thanamandi and troops will vacate the Thanamandi Fort very soon,” he said. “Talks are also going on with the district administration about vacating the Rajouri fort, but given its strategic importance and geographical location, we would have to work out the modalities.”
Deputy comissioner, Sheikh Rafiq, said these buildings would soon be vacated. “The Army are extending good cooperation in vacating the buildings,” he assured. “Since these buildings form important tourist sites, we will be renovating them,” he added. A Jammu-based defence spokesperson told The Tribune that the army authorities in Rajouri had been asked to furnish the details of such buildings.