Illegal Structures Demolished in Jammu and Kashmir
In a significant move, a total of 1,425 illegal structures, comprising both residential and commercial buildings, have been dismantled across the picturesque region of Jammu and Kashmir since the inception of the National Conference led government in October 2024. This crucial information was shared during an Assembly session on Thursday.
According to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the demolitions were executed under the purview of the J&K Public Premises Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants Act, 1988, and the Control of Building Operations Act, 1988. These actions were taken following a meticulous procedure to ensure compliance with the law.
One of the notable demolitions included the residence of journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing in Jammu, which was razed to the ground by the Jammu Development Authority. The chief minister highlighted that the demolition was carried out after thorough verification from the relevant revenue authorities and in adherence to the prescribed protocol.
Omar emphasized that any construction without proper authorization is strictly prohibited, and demolition drives are initiated only after due diligence by the concerned authorities.
Out of the total 1,425 structures demolished, 1,194 were residential while 231 were commercial properties. The city of Srinagar witnessed the highest number of demolitions, with 1,133 structures, including 119 commercial establishments, being removed by various authorities.
Moreover, Jammu district saw 237 demolitions, followed by other regions like Ramban, Anantnag, Kathua, and Shopian, where unauthorized structures were also dismantled.
The chief minister reiterated that encroachments are consistently addressed in accordance with the prevailing laws, and unauthorized constructions are promptly dealt with through a series of measures like notices, sealing, and demolition drives.
He further mentioned that sufficient time is provided to offenders or encroachers as per the legal provisions before any enforcement action is taken.
Responding to queries regarding how such constructions were allowed initially, Omar clarified that no construction is sanctioned without proper approval. However, he acknowledged that in certain cases, delays may occur due to various factors, allowing offenders to exploit loopholes and proceed with unauthorized construction.
