Jammu, May 13 (KINS): Massive protests erupted in Jammu on Wednesday over alleged large-scale encroachment of forest and government land in the Shivalik belt surrounding the winter capital, with demonstrators demanding immediate action against illegal land occupation.
The protest was led by BJP MLA from Bahu constituency Vikram Randhawa, who, along with hundreds of supporters, staged a rally on the Sidhra road carrying placards bearing slogans such as “Save Jammu Forests” and “Stop Grabbing Jammu Lands.”
The protesters later held a sit-in demonstration and burnt tyres to press for strict action against alleged encroachers. They also urged the Lieutenant Governor administration to launch an “Encroachment-Free Jammu” drive on the lines of the ongoing anti-drug campaign in the Union Territory.
During the protest, slogans were raised against what the demonstrators described as “illegal land grabbing” in several areas of Jammu. Protesters warned that a larger agitation would be launched if authorities failed to stop the alleged encroachments on forest and state lands.
The agitation disrupted traffic movement on the busy Sidhra bypass for more than two hours, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Speaking to reporters, Randhawa claimed that forest land, state land and properties belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) in areas including Bathindi, Sunjwan, Bajalta, Sidhra, Raika, Narwal and Bahu were witnessing illegal occupation.
He alleged that thousands of kanals of land had been encroached upon and claimed that civic facilities such as roads, electricity, water supply and drainage were being extended in some of these areas.
The BJP legislator also called upon Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to examine records of alleged encroachers and take action against what he termed a “land mafia.”
Randhawa said his party was not opposed to anyone legally purchasing land in Jammu, but maintained that illegal occupation of government and forest land would not be tolerated.
He further accused the administration of failing to act despite repeated concerns being raised over alleged encroachments on JDA and other state-owned properties.
According to official figures shared earlier in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Jammu district accounts for over 1.45 lakh kanals of encroached state land, significantly higher than Srinagar district.
In April this year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Assembly that more than 16,000 kanals of land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority were under illegal occupation and stated that eviction drives were being carried out in phases.
As per the details presented in the House, the JDA manages over 80,000 kanals of land, of which more than 16,000 kanals are allegedly encroached upon.(KINS)
