Jammu

JDA demolishes shops of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu citing encroachment

A bulldozer demolishes structures in Jammu. [Photo: X]

Jammu: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) on Wednesday demolished a dozen shops belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu city, allegedly without issuing notices, sparking protests from various sections that demanded action against the officials.

On Friday, clarifying its stand, JDA stated that the demolition drive conducted 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.

The demolition drive was launched on Wednesday, targeting 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.

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