JDA has to respond over ‘selective’ demolition of journalist’s house: Dy CM 

KINS Desk

Jammu, Nov 29 (KINS): Deputy Chief Minister Surindar Chowdhary on Saturday said the Omar Abdullah-led government would seek an explanation from the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) over an allegedly selective demolition drive during which the house of a Jammu-based journalist was razed.

Two days ago, the JDA demolished the house of journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing in Jammu, triggering widespread criticism and accusations of bias. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already questioned the authority’s actions, alleging that the JDA carried out the drive without consulting the elected government and was “getting directives from somewhere else”.

On Saturday, Chowdhary visited Arfaz’s residence and expressed solidarity with the journalist and his family, according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

“If JDA wants to remove illegal encroachments on its land, it should not be selective. Remove encroachments on all its land,” the Deputy Chief Minister said. He said that the Chief Minister has already directed the JDA to issue a list of all illegal occupants.

“JDA has to respond over its selective demolition drive,” Chowdhary said, stating that due process and fairness must be followed in all anti-encroachment actions. (KINS)