In the aftermath of the demolition drive launched here in the Sidhra belt, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti Thursday criticised the Government, alleging the National Conference (NC) is obeying the directions of the Bhartiya Janata Party.
“The ruling NC Government is following all the directions being issued by the BJP, and it resulted in the demolition of several houses in the name of an anti-encroachment drive,” Mufti told reporters during a visit to Sidhra to meet the affected families.
“Jammu is reeling under heat wave, and in this climatic condition, hundreds of people have been left homeless.
Children are suffering from skin and eye infections in the scorching heat,” she said, adding, “it was only after the BJP leader’s visit to Sidhra, who called the constructions illegal, that the NC government initiated action.”
She added, “The NC has also started the UP-like bulldozer model in Jammu and Kashmir that has left hundreds of people homeless.”
Earlier, it happened in Kathua, R S Pura, and now in Jammu, she claimed.
Mufti said, “We have requested our party workers and leaders to make an immediate arrangement of food, meals, tents, water, rations, and other essential items for the affected families.”
The PDP brought the Land Bill, but it was neither supported by the National Conference nor by the BJP, she said, adding, “NC called them the land grabbers and the BJP labelled them as land ‘Jihadis’ and NC is doing what is being dictated to them by the BJP.”
“We appeal to the Government to immediately provide shelter to the affected families, so that they at least get some relief,” she said.
Notably, Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Javed Ahmed Rana has already ordered a probe into a demolition drive by the forest department near Mahamaya forests in the Sidhra area here on the city outskirts.
Rana described the drive as “inhuman, anti-people and against law” and asked Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to initiate action against police personnel for “excesses” against people during the drive.
