Jammu, 22 May (H.S.): Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary today criticised the demolition drive in Jammu’s Sidra area, saying such actions would not have happened if Jammu and Kashmir had retained its statehood and special constitutional status.

Speaking to reporters during a condolence visit to the family of Engineer Rashid and MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, Chowdhary said the issue reflected the absence of full statehood and special constitutional status for Jammu and Kashmir.

“I wish Jammu and Kashmir was a state today. If it had its own special status and statehood then we would see who demolishes houses,” he said

The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that decisions regarding demolitions were being taken by bureaucrats instead of elected representatives due to the absence of statehood. “Today we do not have our own cadre, IAS or IPS officers. Officers sitting in offices are making these decisions,” he said.

Chowdhary said that the party had historically worked to provide housing and legal protection to residents rather than demolishing homes. “The National Conference has always given homes to people. I have never seen an example where the National Conference demolished someone’s house,” he said.

Referring to past governments led by Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, Chowdhary said colonies built on government land had previously been regularised and residents granted ownership rights.

Questioning the demolition drive, he said houses built over several years with personal savings were being razed overnight. “Whether the house belongs to a Hindu or a Muslim, it is ultimately the house of a human being who built it with great difficulty,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also reiterated the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and special status, claiming the Centre had assured this after Assembly elections. “We hope they fulfil their promise. Once statehood and special status are restored, we guarantee that not a single house or bridge will be allowed to fall,” he said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar