Says 14 lakh kanals allegedly encroached in Jammu, ‘but poor rendered homeless’
Srinagar: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) has strongly condemned the demolition drive carried out in Sidra and other parts of Jammu, terming the action “inhumane, anti-poor and a direct assault on economically weaker and tribal families”.
AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi Inam Un Nabi, in a statement issued here, “It is deeply unfortunate that bulldozers are being used against poor and vulnerable people allegedly residing on state land while influential land grabbers and powerful encroachers continue to enjoy complete impunity.” He questioned those who ordered the demolition drive, asking whether they are unaware that “nearly 14 lakh kanals of state land in Jammu division itself are allegedly under illegal occupation”.
“If the administration is genuinely serious about retrieving state land, then why are bulldozers reaching only the homes of economically weaker sections, tribal communities and poor families? Why is there selective action only against powerless people?” he asked.
Inam said reports of more than 40 residential structures being demolished and families being rendered homeless overnight have shaken the conscience of society. He said such actions cannot be justified in the name of enforcement when women, children and elderly persons are left without shelter and rehabilitation.
He questioned the silence of the Omar Abdullah-led government over the issue and asked why an elected government has failed to stop what he termed as an “anti-people and anti-poor approach”.
“Where is the elected government? Is this the model of governance people voted for? If the government cannot protect economically weaker sections and tribal families from such actions, then what is the purpose of an elected administration?” he remarked.
The AIP spokesperson said eviction and demolition drives involving residential structures must strictly follow constitutional safeguards, judicial procedures and rehabilitation norms, particularly when marginalised communities are involved.
“Selective demolitions and humiliation of poor families would only deepen public alienation and mistrust,” he said. “The administration must immediately halt such drives, provide rehabilitation and compensation to affected families and ensure that law is implemented uniformly without discrimination or selective targeting.”