Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari today strongly condemned the selective approach adopted by the Govt in the name of anti-encroachment drive in Jammu particularly on Bathindi-Sunjwan road.
In a statement to the press, Bukhari reacted sharply while condemning the anti-encroachment drive and use of concertina wire in the surrounding area of demolished structures on Narwal Bypass road outside the Wave Mall and Sunjwan-Bathindi road as an attempt to demean the public feelings.
“We were not expecting such a harsh step from the Govt. The drive was launched on Sunday early morning when people were still in their homes and none of them were served notices. It is illegal to create mental harassment and snatch one’s shelter, source of bread and butter,” he said.
He said that the people have constructed their houses and commercial places in the last 30 to 40 years back when no one questioned them.
“The demolition of structures all of a sudden after decades without intimating them is an unjustified act which should be condemned in strongest words,” he said.
He said that such high-headedness and showcase of power is not a good sign. The Government should have given alternative and rehabilitation plans for the uprooted families and businessmen. Instead, they adopted harsh means to displace the people without planning for their rehabilitation and it unemployed many families within hours on last Sunday’s drive.”
He said that Jammu district has many illegal residential colonies yet only some of the selective colonies were targeted. “It seems with their actions that the authorities want to create fear among the masses with their targeted approach in some of the colonies of Jammu particularly in Sunjwan and Bathindi,” he said.
He sought intervention of the LG Manoj Sinha and demanded that the authorities should adopt a humanitarian approach and resolve the issue amicably.
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