Jammu, 06 May (H.S.): The BJP has opposed the ongoing anti-encroachment drive carried out by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), demanding a halt to the operation, regularising existing constructions and action against “erring” officials.

On May 4, the JDA demolished more than 15 structures built without permissions on the Ring Road, along the Jamm-Samba belt, to curb illegal constructions and enforce planning norms.

Tensions escalated when BJP MLA Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, along with locals, intervened and stood in front of bulldozers in the Bisnah area to stop the demolition of a three-storey structure. Several party leaders joined the protest.

Later, a delegation of BJP leaders, comprising Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, Garu Ram Bhagat, Surinder Bhagat and former MLA Chander Prakash Ganga, met JDA Vice Chairman Rupesh Kumar on May 5 and sought suspension of demolition drives and called for registration and regularisation of existing structures.

Addressing reporters, Rajeev Kumar Bhagat alleged that JDA’s enforcement wing failed in its duty and accused the lower-level staff of misleading people. “We have repeatedly said JDA should inform people where construction is permitted. Instead, staff took money, allowed structures to come up, and then demolished them when the buildings reached the third floor (exceeding permitted height limits),” he said.

He questioned the timing of the drive, saying, “What kind of emergency was it that officials arrived at 4 am to carry out demolition?” Bhagat also cited the case of a farmer whose land was partly acquired for the Ring Road, leaving him with limited land on which he had begun construction.

The MLA demanded strict action against JDA officials, including suspension of enforcement staff, alleging that illegal constructions had flourished due to administrative lapses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar