Mohd Irfan
The demolition drive by the administration today at the Narwal Malik market where in the showroom of MG has been demolished as the same has been on state land, officials said.
Reports revealed that as the masses of Bhatindi and Sunjuwan came to know about this demolition drive they came in large numbers to protest against the government for their anti-encroachment drive. Protestors comprising of women, children, men, etc hit the roads and they demand the government to not resort to the demolition drive as this drive would be rendered them homeless.
Protestors in protest even resorted to stone pelting as per reports and even protestors also staged sit. Police used tear gas shells in order to disperse the protestors. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the Administration deployed a heavy contingent of police given the resentment and massive uproar amongst the protestors as they refused to budge an inch and persuaded the government not to carry on this demolition drive.
When even Home Minister Amit shah has assured the Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad that those having small holdings and houses will not be touched. LG also reiterated the same but still, the inhabitants of Bhatindi and Sunjuwan resorted to the protests.
Protestors divulged that till now there is no written order came from the administration so far in terms of driving that small holdings will not be touched as merely making a statement does not suffice as such government needs to come forward to win the confidence of the masses who are feeling insecure and in mental trauma due to this anti-encroachment drive.
It is pertinent to mention here in that even ADC Jammu also went to the protesting site at the Malik Market in order to pacify them. Visuals that emerged on social media show that the ADC tried to convince the protestors that the small holdings will not be touched.