Demolished house. Representational photo
Credit: DH File Photo
Jammu: A recent demolition by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) of a dozen shops, owned by displaced Kashmiri Pandits on JDA land in Jammu city, has ignited strong reactions from various political parties, including the BJP.
The shop owners claim they were not notified about the demolition, despite having operated their businesses on the land for more than three decades, since the time of their initial settlement by the Jammu & Kashmir government in 1990s. However, the JDA has rejected this claim, insisting that proper notice was issued.
The affected shopkeepers, who rely on their businesses for survival, expressed distress over the loss of their livelihoods.
One shop owner, Ashok Raina, explained, “I’ve had my shop here for the past 35 years. We started these small shops when the camp was established, and the then commissioner supported us.
Without warning, they told us to vacate. They had previously mentioned taking action only after compensation, but yesterday they demolished the shops without notice.” Videos showing the emotional distress of the affected families quickly spread on social media, sparking a political outcry.
BJP spokesperson G.L. Raina, who visited the site to meet with the families, called the demolition “revenge” following the return of the NC-Congress government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He criticized the JDA for failing to offer alternatives to the displaced families and urged the government to stop targeting this vulnerable community.
Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the demolition, describing it as “another blow to a community that has faced unimaginable hardships for decades.”
She further claimed that these actions, which initially targeted the tribal community, are now extending to Kashmiri Pandits, heightening their sense of alienation and loss. Mufti called on the Omar Abdullah government to intervene.
In defense of the JDA’s actions, vice-chairman Pankaj Sharma stated that the shopkeepers were issued a notice on January 20 and had given a written commitment to vacate the premises by the end of February.
Relief Commissioner (Migrants), Arvind Karwani, confirmed that the shops were located on JDA land and were demolished as part of the drive. However, he assured that all affected shop owners would be provided new shops in a complex under construction in Muthi Phase II.