Protests erupted in Sunjwan and Bathindi areas here Friday after an under-construction house was demolished by administration with the affected family alleging harassment at the hands of authorities.According to reports, during an anti-encroachment drive Friday afternoon, a team led by SDM South and DFO South, demolished the house of Ishtiaq Ahmad for ‘being constructed on the forest land.’
The head of the aggrieved family said the administration targeted his house among a cluster of over 50 buildings in the colony for unknown reasons.
Following the demolition, hundreds of locals came out in support of the family and held massive demonstration to protest against action of the administration.
Amid anti-administration slogans, the protesters also burnt the effigy of the government officers and tried to march towards highway.
However, after senior police officers assured to arrange their meeting with Deputy Commissioner Jammu, they called off the protest.
Ishtiaq Ahmad, a clerk in Health and Medical Education department, claimed that his under-construction building was demolished ‘selectively’ by the district administration.
“You will see a number of constructions going on in Sunjwan area, but they just targeted only my house over a 3-Marla plot,” Ishtiaq said.
According to Ishtiaq, he purchased the plot from one, Dr Ghulam Nabi, in December 2015 and started the construction work on December 28 last year.
“On January 24, this year, the concerned DFO called me up and asked to meet at Ranger’s office on Sunday. Accordingly, I went there, but when I reached there, he (DFO) threatened me and snatched my phone,” he said, adding when he (Ishtiaq) questioned about the odd behavior of the government officer, the DFO replied, “Who authorized you to construct house on forest land.”
Ishtiaq said that he was taken by surprise after knowing that the land which he purchased belongs to the Forest Department.
“Without giving me any prior notice, today, with armed police teams, the DFO concerned along with SDM concerned came to the area and demolished my under-construction building,” he said.
