The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) demolished the house of local journalist Afraz Dang on Thursday, with his family alleging the action was “targeted and punitive” for his critical reporting on those in power. In a supportive gesture, a Hindu neighbor offered land to help rebuild the home, stating, “If they break his 10-marla plot, we will give him 20.”
Dang noted that he was not the owner of the house, as it was registered in his father Ghulam Qadir’s name, who built the single-story structure nearly 40 years ago. He emphasized that no prior notice was issued, asserting that the authorities were “clearly after me because of my journalism.”
The demolition occurred shortly after the J&K Police announced the dismantling of a cross-border drug racket on November 14, recovering 3.26 kg of heroin. Dang had previously implicated a police officer in connection with the narcotics-related arrests. A senior J&K Police official has denied the allegations against the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) involved, who was transferred prior to the demolition.
In a video recorded during the destruction, Dang confronted police officers, questioning the justification for targeting his home and demanding to see official documentation. He accused the authorities of “hooliganism” while they forcibly took his phone and continued the demolition despite his requests for additional time.
Family members and local residents described the action as a “targeted demolition,” suggesting it was intended to send a chilling message to those who voice dissent. Qadir lamented the impact on his grandchildren, who returned home from school to find their residence in ruins, saying, “We built this house through hard labor, and my son did nothing wrong.”
While the family does not oppose land clearance when done lawfully, Qadir claimed poor communities and outspoken individuals were being selectively targeted while larger illegal constructions, such as hotels and resorts, remained untouched. He called for justice, questioning what wrongdoing warranted such an extreme action.
Local supporters emphasized that Dang is not a criminal but a devoted journalist advocating for community issues. One relative reported that Dang’s phone was seized during the demolition, stating that several construction machines arrived without warning and that the family was not allowed to make calls throughout the operation.
Legal experts criticized the demolition as a breach of due process. Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed observed that if enforcement is required, it should be applied uniformly across all encroachments, rather than selectively targeting the vulnerable. Aam Aadmi Party’s Jayesh Gupta condemned the JDA’s actions, highlighting the family’s distress and the violation of rights.
National Conference leader Rajesh challenged authorities to address illegal land held by affluent individuals, accusing them of preferential treatment. He pointed to a broader issue where poor families bear the brunt of enforcement while wealthy landholders evade scrutiny.
High Court lawyers, including Sajid Bukhari and Zulqarnain Chowdhary, decried the demolition as reflective of a setback to civil liberties, questioning why substantial illegal constructions are overlooked while minor encroachments face immediate action.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para emphasized the need for protective legislation for those residing on state land, arguing that long-term residents should not be categorized as encroachers. He lamented the lack of support from both the National Conference and BJP for a land-regularization bill intended to safeguard the dignity of impoverished families.
CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami echoed concerns about the process, reiterating that skipping due process signifies a serious lapse by authorities. He called for accountability in the wake of potential mismanagement.
In parallel, demolitions continue in other regions, such as Kangan, where local authorities are taking action against what they label as encroachments along the Nallah Sindh river. People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone condemned these actions as punitive and called for a reconsideration of the selective nature of demolitions, questioning the fairness of applying regulations to the vulnerable while allowing wealthier individuals to circumvent the law.
The post, originally from Maktoob Media, provides a comprehensive overview of the unfolding situation surrounding Dang’s demolition and the broader implications of such administrative actions in Jammu and Kashmir.
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