Encroached Govt Land Worth Crores Reclaimed Amidst Demonstrations In Jammu
Hundreds of protesters came to the streets, burning tyres and holding a sit-in to protest what they called a "selective push" to evict a certain population.
New Delhi: Authorities carried out a large anti-encroachment sweep in several sections of Jammu on Sunday, sparking protests from residents who obstructed the Narwal Bypass for many hours, according to officials.
84 structures, including six major commercial buildings, were demolished during the day-long raid, which resulted in the recovery of nearly 260 kanals (32.5 acres) of public land worth crores of rupees from encroachers, according to an official spokesperson, news agency PTI reported.
The tax department bulldozed dozens of structures, including buildings and stores, at the Bathindi crossing on the Narwal Bypass early in the morning under strong deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, authorities said.
Hundreds of protesters came to the streets, burning tyres and holding a sit-in to protest what they called a "selective push" to evict a certain population.
Shyambir, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, had a difficult time keeping law and order and was observed encouraging demonstrators to release the blockage with assurances that the government will kindly look into their problems.
Speaking to the reporters, Shyambir said, "We suspended the drive on 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."
When asked about the demand for damages compensation, he stated the subject will be determined during the committee's discussions.
The police officer stated that the operation was carried out in line with the established regulations for reclaiming state land that had been unlawfully occupied by civilians and that the administration had committed no violations.
The demonstrators, on the other hand, accused the district administration of conducting "selective" anti-encroachment activities in order to evict a certain 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 was quoted by PTI in its report.
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," Ahmad alleged.
Several demonstrators claimed to have legal paperwork for the property in question and claimed to have lived there for decades.
The anti-encroachment effort was begun in Jammu Khas village in the Jammu tehsil and Chhanni Rama village in the Bahu tehsil, according to an official spokeswoman, and 260 kanals of state land were reclaimed during the day-long exercise.
After deconstructing 15 constructions, a big area of 220 kanals of state land along the Tawi river in Jammu Khas was also reclaimed, according to the spokesperson, with the total worth of this piece estimated to be close to Rs 200 crore at current stamp duty rates.
A 40-kanal plot of valuable land along the national highway in Chhanni Rama was also retrieved at the same time, according to the spokeswoman.
During the exercise, a total of 52 structures, including six major commercial buildings, were demolished in this region, he claimed.
According to the spokesman, the land's worth is assessed to be Rs 56 crore based on stamp duty rates, while the market value is substantially greater due to large-scale commercial businesses nearby and along the highway.
He added prominent signboards representing state land had been put at the returned areas to safeguard them and deter land grabbers from re-encroachment.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court and the government have issued several orders for the clearance of encroachments on state land.
According to the orders, an action plan was developed for the recovery of such land and state land, and over 15,000 kanals of state land were collected in the Jammu district during the last three months, with signboards put, according to the spokesperson.
He stated that the reclaimed property will be put to good use, taking into account the needs of various government ministries as well as the administration's goals.
In a separate operation, the forest service reclaimed 12 kanals of forest land in the Bahu area, which is located along the highway in a defined forest area near Raika Environmental Park, according to the spokesperson.
"The joint eviction drive was carried out by forest department and police whereby 17 structures were dismantled," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
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