Jammu. Jammu Development Authority allegedly demolished a dozen shops of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu city without issuing any notice. Various sections protested against this action of the authority and demanded action against the officials.
Officials said that the ‘Remove Encroachment’ campaign was launched on Wednesday in which shops built by displaced Kashmiri Pandits near Muthi Camp three decades ago were targeted. He told that the old shops were located on the land of Jammu Development Authority (JDA). Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the area to assess the situation and assured the affected families that new shops would be built for them in the area.
He told, “These shops were on JDA land. The relief organization has issued tenders to build a shopping complex in Mutthi Camp Phase-2. “Soon ten shops will be built and allotted to these shopkeepers.” Political parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Apni Party and several Kashmir Pandit organizations condemned the JDA’s action and demanded construction of new shops for the displaced community to help them maintain their livelihood. Can get help.
Pointing to his demolished shop, shop owner Kuldeep Kisru said, “Instead of helping us survive by providing better facilities and financial assistance, this government has taken away our bread by demolishing our shops with bulldozers.” Another shopkeeper Jav Lal Bhatt said, “We are completely dependent on the income from these shops. In such a situation, how can we support our family? We urge the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to intervene and get us justice.” Bhatt opened his tin shed shop in 1991. Another shopkeeper Jawahar Lal termed the vandalism as ‘sheer hooliganism’.
“We were not given any notice for the demolition,” he said.