Jammu, Sept 11 (JKNS): Over a dozen shops were demolished by the administration on Friday as part of ongoing highway expansion work in Jammu city, triggering resentment among affected shopkeepers who sought immediate rehabilitation.
As per news agency JKNS, Men and machinery of the administration carried out the demolition drive for the second consecutive day in the Satwari-Nai Basti area amid heavy security deployment, officials said.
The drive was undertaken after shopkeepers and other occupants vacated the premises following notices issued by the authorities, officials said.
Nearly 20 shops were demolished in the Satwari area on Thursday, while 13 shops were demolished on Friday, according to locals.
Officials said the shopkeepers had been served notices several times and were informed two days earlier to remove their belongings before the demolition. The power supply to the structures was also disconnected on Wednesday, they said.
However, shopkeepers alleged that the administration was acting arbitrarily and said the demolition had caused serious hardship to the affected people.
Suresh Kumar, a shopkeeper, said the demolition had severely affected the business community and destroyed their livelihood.
Another shopkeeper, Arminder Singh, appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the government to ensure justice and immediate rehabilitation for the affected shopkeepers.
“We must be immediately rehabilitated. Alternative shops should be allotted to us to carry out business,” he said.
Singh claimed that his shop was 50–60 years old and that he possessed records pertaining to its establishment.
The affected shopkeepers appealed to the administration to accommodate and rehabilitate them, saying the demolition had disrupted their daily income and left them displaced.
The demolition is part of the administration’s ongoing infrastructure and highway expansion works in Jammu city, officials said. (JKNS)
