Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: Thousands of people, including women and children, today hit the streets in Sunjwan area on the outskirts of Jammu City to protest against the ongoing anti-encroachment drive of Jammu and Kashmir administration to retrieve “illegally occupied” State land.
People from Sunjwan, Bathindi, Narwal, Malik Market and other adjoining areas participated in the protest. A complete shutdown was observed in the area. Waving Tricolours and shouting slogans against the eviction drive, the protesters passed through the main roads before staging a peaceful sit-in at a vast land adjoining the Kunjwani-Nagrota Bypass Road.
The protesting people said that on one side they are being assured that no residential or commercial establishment raised on small portion of land will be touched in the anti-encroachment drive and on the other hand, the authorities are serving public notices to the inhabitants of these areas to remove illegal constructions within seven days.
Leaders of several political parties including National Conference, Congress, People’s Democratic Party, Apni Party and Aam Aadmi Party also joined the protest and demanded an immediate end to the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in the Union Territory through which the J&K administration is tormenting the common people.
As a precautionary measure, a large contingent of police led by senior police officers was deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Abhishek Abrol, concerned sub-divisional magistrate also visited the spot and tried to pacify the protesters on the assurance that no residential homes would be demolished.
Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully on the assurance of the SDM, who told them and their representatives to submit their demands to the authorities in written for consideration.
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