Jammu Tawi, Nov 20: Jammu Development Authority has demolished a dozen hutments and kiosks that were under ‘illegal encroachments’ in Lower Roop Nagar (Muthi area), allegedly without issuing notices, sparking protests from various sections that demanded action against the officials.
The demolition drive was launched on Wednesday, shops built by displaced Kashmiri Pandits near the Muthi camp three decades ago, officials said.
The old shops were located on land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).
Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the area to assess the situation and assured the affected families that new shops would be constructed for them in the area.
“These shops were on JDA land. The relief organisation has floated tenders for constructing a shopping complex in Muthi Camp Phase II. Ten shops will be constructed soon and allotted to these shopkeepers,” he said.
Political parties, including the BJP, PDP and Apni Party, and several Kashmir Pandit organisations condemned the JDA’s action and called for the construction of new shops for the displaced community to help them sustain their livelihood.
Jammu Development Authority, however, denied the allegation demolition without adopting due process of law. Clarifying its stand, the JDA today stated that the demolition drive conducted by it on November 20, 2024 against encroachment at Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu and other prime land patches are meant for construction of infrastructure projects and for development of colonies.
The land measuring 25 kanals at Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu has been earmarked for construction of 208, one BHK flats for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) having one bedroom, hall, kitchen and bathroom was under the illegal possession of encroachers and the same was cleared of encroachments after following due procedure, the Authority clarified.
On this patch of land, the JDA had floated the tender for construction of 208 EWS flats. However, the earmarked land was found having 12 dome quarters (abandoned/vacant) and 22 kiosks under illegal possession of those who were already rehabilitated at various locations such as Purkhoo, Muthi and Jagti and some have rented out to some outsiders/locals on monthly rental basis. These structures were to be cleared for making the land available for the purpose of EWS Flats,” the JDA said.
It further stated that due procedure was adopted for eviction of illegal possession of its property by serving notice under Section 4 of the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act 1988 on 20-01-2024 and the shopkeepers were requested and apprised about the project contemplated on the land for which LoI was already issued.
Elaborating further, the JDA said that after the notice, these shopkeepers represented for giving them one-month time so that they shall remove their belongings to alternate places.
After giving enough time (10 months) of notice, the demolition drive was carried out on 20-11-2024 after following due procedure. All the illegal occupants were informed to vacate the possession and JDA facilitated them in safely removing all their belongings (found in only 5 to 6 shops rest were without any belongings) so as to free the earmarked land of all encumbrances for construction of flatted accommodation.
These kiosks and Domes (One Room Tenement) were under illegal possession of a mix of encroachers from different communities including non-domicile of J&K and the JDA carried out demolition without considering caste/community-based action. Even some labourers were accommodated on monthly rental basis in some Domes by these encroachers whereas others were left abandoned, it added further.
The JDA reiterated that it will continue to carry out such demolition drives against encroachers in near future so that land is made available for building infrastructure for the Government as well as for needy public.
Pointing to his demolished shop, its owner Kuldeep Kisroo said, “Instead of helping us survive by providing better facilities and financial support, this government has snatched our bread and butter by bulldozing our shops.”
Jav Lal Bhat, another shopkeeper who set up his shop in a tin shed in 1991, said, “How can we feed our families when we are solely dependent on the earnings from these shops? We urge the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to intervene and give us justice.”
Another shopkeeper, Jawahir Lal, described the demolition as “sheer hooliganism”. He said, “No notices were served to us for the demolition.”
President of the Muthi migrant camp Anil Bhan criticised the timing of the demolition. “It should have waited for another month as the relief department is already constructing shops for them within the camp. This unfortunate incident could have been avoided,” he said.
