+
 
For the best experience, open
m.thewire.in
on your mobile browser or Download our App.
You are reading an older article which was published on
Jan 23, 2021

Demolition Drive in Jammu's Bathindi Sparks Clashes; Locals Allege 'Communal Bias'

While the civic authorities maintained that notices had already been served to those who built illegal structures, locals alleged that drive was carried out with an intention to target Muslim majority areas.
Anti-encroachment drive by Jammu Municipal Corporation turned violent in Bathindi in Sunjwan village, leading to clashes on Friday, January 23. Photo: Special arrangement.

Srinagar: Tensions have flared up in parts of Jammu region against the Jammu and Kashmir administration after an anti-encroachment drive in a Muslim-majority area was resisted by locals, sparking clashes that left at least two persons injured.

Deputy commissioner of Jammu, Sushma Chauhan, said the administration had filed a police case against unknown persons in the aftermath of the clashes reported from Bathindi in Sunjwan village on Friday morning. She, however, didn’t reveal details of the case.

“When an enforcement team of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) along with police moved into the area, locals resisted the action and began pelting stones. They didn’t show any respect to law and order,” Chauhan told The Wire.

Two drivers of JMC were injured in the clashes and the anti-encroachment drive has been put on hold for now, Chauhan said.

Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: ‘Unexpected’ Demolition Drives Left Several Homeless, Jobless in 2020

JMC commissioner Avny Lavasa said the corporation had issued notices last week to 14 persons in Sunjwan village who had allegedly expanded their existing structures, including shops and houses, without seeking permission from the authorities.

“This caused loss of revenue to the government,” Lavasa said.

Officials said two earthmovers pressed into action for the demolition drive were damaged by stone pelting along with a police bus, which was part of the enforcement team.

Lavasa said one driver had suffered a head injury in the clashes while another was hit in the chest by a stone. “Both were later discharged from the hospital after first aid,” Lavasa said.

Nocturnal drive 

The anti-encroachment drive took place in the backdrop of recent evictions by the administration in Kashmir after the Roshni Act was scrapped by the Jammu and Kashmir high court. Under the Act, ownership of 5.71 lakh kanals of state land in Jammu and 33,392 kanals in Kashmir was vested with their occupants under certain conditions.

An Anti-encroachment drive by the Jammu Municipal Corporation in Bathindi in Sunjwan village turned violent on Friday, January 22. Photo: Special arrangement.

The high court, however, termed the act “illegal, unconstitutional and unsustainable”, and asked the J&K administration to retrieve the land from the occupants. Following the order, dozens of nomadic Gujjar families were evicted, and several homes and orchards were destroyed in Kashmir region.

According to officials, a JMC enforcement team, escorted by J&K police, moved into Bathindi along with men and machinery in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, to remove the structures that have allegedly come up in violation of the J&K Control of Building Operations Act.

Locals of Bathindi who spoke with The Wire over the phone said the presence of a large number of security personnel with automatic weapons and earthmovers sparked wild rumours and people started coming out of their homes.

Also read: Contrary to Government Line, New J&K Land Laws Can Effect Sweeping Changes

“We thought they are going to destroy our homes too,” a local informed, whishing to be anonymous.

Witnesses said hundreds of locals, mostly youngsters, came out on the roads and resorted to heavy stone-pelting in which two earthmovers and a police bus were severely damaged, besides injuring two drivers.

“What was the urgency of coming at night? If they (JMC) had to take action against encroachments, they could have done so during the daytime. We are already living under fear,” Abdul Rashid, a resident of Bathindi said over the phone.

While Jammu is a Hindu-majority region of J&K, Bathindi has seen rapid urbanisation in recent years. Many Muslim families from Kashmir Valley, Chenab and Pir Panjal regions have bought houses in Bathindi where they stay to escape the harsh winters back home.

The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the multi-crore Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association scam, recently attached the house of National Conference chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah, which is also loctaed in Bathindi.

“It (anti-encroachment drive) was planned at night so that people, especially commuters, don’t face any inconvenience during the daytime. There was no hidden motive other than to demolish the structures that have been built in clear violation of law,” commissioner Lavasa said.

Selective drive 

Locals alleged the Jammu Municipal Corporation is selectively targeting Muslim properties in Sunjwan and other Muslim areas because of the pressure from the Central government.

After the Roshni act was scrapped, the BJP leaders have been playing with fire by accusing the Muslims of Jammu, a Hindu majority region, of changing its demography. The BJP youth wing recently staged several demonstrations in Jammu’s Muslim majority areas, including in Bathindi.

“There are illegal structures everywhere in Jammu. Why are we being singled out by the administration? It is only because of our faith?” said another local of Bathindi, who didn’t want to be named.

Deputy commissioner Chauhan said five shop owners of Bathindi were issued notices prior to the demolition drive on Friday morning. “Since last month, we have issued notices to several people under the J&K Control of Building Operations Act. It is an ongoing drive.”

On Friday morning, soon after the clashes subsided, hundreds of locals, including elderly and women, hit the roads in Bathindi and staged a demonstration against the J&K administration.

“Our ancestors have lived and died here. Our children go to schools here. We have been living here for decades. We will not allow these evil designs against us to succeed at any cost,” said another local.

Make a contribution to Independent Journalism
facebook twitter