Despite controversy, JDA remains firm to continue anti-encroachment drives

The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) will continue its anti-encroachment drives against illegal structures on state land despite the recent controversy over the demolition of the house belonging to the father of a social media journalist.

The structure, located in Narwal, was built on state land, and the owner had reportedly been served notices at least twice before it was demolished. The incident, however, triggered a political uproar, with the National Conference (NC) and the BJP trading accusations over the action.

A senior JDA official confirmed that the authority will press ahead with demolitions of all illegal constructions on state land across Jammu. The official said the demolition of the house of Ghulam Qadir Daing — father of journalist Arfaz Ahmed Daing — was part of the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign.

The official added that the JDA has already launched a sustained drive to clear large stretches of state land from illegal occupation. Over the past few months, multiple such operations have been carried out in different parts of Jammu.

On November 20, for instance, 25 kanals of land at Lower Roop Nagar — earmarked for constructing 208 flats for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) — was vacated after being freed from illegal encroachers.

The demolition of Daing’s house has now snowballed into a political slugfest. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the elected government had no prior knowledge of the action, while former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, who visited Daing after the demolition, claimed he had spoken to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who denied ordering any such move. Choudhary has urged the L-G to initiate an inquiry to determine who authorised the demolition.