Jammu: Authorities on Sunday carried out an anti-encroachment drive in different parts of Jammu, triggering protests by people who blocked the Narwal Bypass for several hours, officials said.
Dozens of structures, including buildings and shops, were demolished partially or completely near Bathindi crossing on the Narwal Bypass in the early morning drive by the revenue department amid heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces, they said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people took to streets and blocked the highway by burning tyres and staging a sit-in against the “selective drive”.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Shyambir had a tough time in maintaining law and order and was seen persuading the protesters to lift the blockade with an assurance that the administration will look into their grievances sympathetically.
We suspended the drive on the public demand and asked them to form a committee to raise their issues at the right forum. We are here to address their genuine issues, he told reporters at the scene of the protest.
Asked about the demand for compensation for the damage, he said the issue of compensation will be decided during deliberations with the committee.
The police officer said the drive was carried out in accordance with the laid down rules to reclaim the state land illegally occupied by the people and there was no violation on part of the administration.
However, the protesters accused the district administration of going for selective drives to dislodge a particular community.
They came around 4 am and started the demolition drive without any prior notice. The law is equal for everyone, but why this selective drive in our areas? Was the government sleeping when the buildings were raised? Shabir Ahmad, one of the protesters, said.
He said properties worth crores were damaged.
We have electricity connections and ration cards… there is no justification for the drive. It is nothing but hooliganism,” he alleged.
Several protesters also claimed to have legal documents for the land in question.
Officials said the anti-encroachment drive was also carried out in Belli Charana, Sunjwa and Sidhra bypass.
At Belli Charana, a large chunk of land under occupation of a prominent politician was retrieved and several structures demolished, they said, adding that illegal constructions were also removed in Sidhra and Sunjwa.
Meanwhile, according to an official spokesperson, an anti-encroachment drive was launched by the Revenue Department alongwith Police teams in village Jammu Khas of Tehsil Jammu and Channi Rama of Tehsil Bahu whereby 260 Kanals of State land has been retrieved during a daylong exercise.
It has been learnt that large patch of 220 Kanals of State land located near Tawi River in village Jammu Khas has been retrieved after dismantling 15 structures.
The total value of this patch is estimated to be close to Rs.200 Cr as per Stamp Duty Rates.
Further another prime patch of land totalling 40 Kanals situated along the National Highway in village Chhanni Rama, Tehsil Bahu has also been retrieved simultaneously. A total of 52 structures including 6 large commercial buildings situated on this patch have been demolished during the exercise. The value of this land is estimated to Rs.56 crore as per Stamp Duty Rates though the market value is much higher owing to large scale commercial establishments that are located in the vicinity and along the National Highway.
Prominent sign boards depicting State land have been erected at the retrieved sites in order to secure the retrieved land and prevent any re-encroachment attempt by the land grabbers.
It is pertinent to mention that several directives have been issued by the High Court J&K and UT Government for removal of encroachments on State land.
In pursuance to the directions, action plan has been formulated for retrieval of such land and State land and over 15000 Kanals of State land has been retrieved in the District over the past 03 months and sign boards stands installed.
The land so retrieved shall be put to gainful use keeping in view the requirements projected by various Government Departments as well as priorities of the Administration.
In a separate exercise, the Forest Department has retrieved 12 Kanals of Forest land in Compartment No. 65/Bahu located along the National Highway in demarcated forest area near Environmental Park, Raika. The joint eviction drive was carried out by Forest Department and J&K Police whereby 17 structures were dismantled for retrieval of land under the supervision of Conservator of Forest, East Circle, Jammu and Divisional Forest Officer, Jammu.
