The Jammu Improvement Authority (JDA) has demolished a dozen retailers belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandits on its land in Jammu metropolis, sparking protests from numerous sections that demanded motion towards the officers.
The outdated retailers have been positioned on land belonging to the JDA, which had given a deadline to the Kashmiri Pandits to take away their retailers on their very own inside three months, failing which encroachments can be eliminated, the officers stated. (HT representational picture)
The demolition drive was launched on Wednesday to take away retailers constructed by displaced Kashmiri Pandits on JDA’s land close to the Muthi camp three a long time in the past, officers stated.
The outdated retailers have been positioned on land belonging to the JDA, which had given a deadline to the Kashmiri Pandits to take away their retailers on their very own inside three months, failing which encroachments can be eliminated, the officers stated.
The officers stated the Kashmiri Pandits had given consent to shift from the world themselves.
Reduction commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the world to evaluate the state of affairs and warranted the affected households that new retailers can be constructed for them within the space.
“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 stated.
Political events, together with the BJP, PDP and Apni Social gathering and a number of other Kashmir Pandit organisations condemned the JDA’s motion. They known as for the development of latest retailers for the displaced group to assist them maintain their livelihood.
Pointing to his demolished store, its proprietor Kuldeep Kisroo stated, “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, one other shopkeeper who arrange his store in a tin shed in 1991, stated, “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.”One other shopkeeper, Jawahir Lal, described the demolition as “sheer hooliganism”. He stated, “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 stated.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti shared a clip on X of the affected shopkeepers and urged chief minister Omar Abdullah to handle the problem with compassion and urgency.
“Heartbreaking scenes emerge as Kashmiri Pandit shopkeepers stand helplessly by the rubble of their demolished shops, reportedly brought down by the JDA without prior notice. This act further deepens their sense of alienation and loss,” she stated on X.
BJP spokesperson G L Raina, who visited the positioning and met the affected households, stated, “This visibly seems to be a revenge action soon after the return of the NC-Congress government headed by CM Omar Abdullah. The JDA should have provided alternatives to these families.
“The government must stop targeting this hapless community,” he stated.
Apni Social gathering normal secretary and former legislator Vijay Bakaya expressed dismay and questioned the intentions of the JDA.
“Many shops being run by Kashmiri Pandit migrants in Muthi for nearly 30 years have been demolished. If these shops had to be removed for any legitimate reason, notice should have been given and alternative locations provided.
“This high-handed action by the authorities is most condemnable,” he stated.