Jammu, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a heated uproar on Friday after BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa claimed that people from the Kashmir Valley have encroached upon land in Jammu city.
During Question Hour, Randhawa raised the issue, prompting Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo to respond on behalf of the Chief Minister. According to official records, 688 kanals and 17 marlas of land in Tehsil Bahu and 579 kanals in Tehsil Jammu South are under illegal encroachment. (“Eight kanals equal one acre, while 160 marlas equal one acre,” she clarified.)
“These encroachments are longstanding and are being addressed under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act and other relevant laws,” Itoo said. She added that since January 2025, 34 anti-encroachment drives have been conducted in Tehsils Bahu and Jammu South, recovering 140 kanals and 11 marlas of land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).
Randhawa alleged that many habitations on the encroached land belong to people from the Kashmir Valley and accused authorities of failing to remove them. He claimed that nearly 90 percent of these habitations are by Kashmiris and demanded a government probe into the matter. “There are over 16,000 kanals of JDA land under encroachment in Jammu. We have no objection if Kashmiris legally purchase land, but constructing homes on government land is unacceptable,” he said.
The MLA’s remarks sparked a strong reaction from ruling NC members. Itoo rejected the allegations, urging that encroachment issues should not be viewed through a regional lens and emphasizing that Jammu and Kashmir should not be divided over such matters.
Randhawa later approached the well of the House with papers in hand, demanding the immediate removal of the encroachments.
Earlier, the minister noted that fencing and signboards have been installed to prevent future encroachments. Teams of junior engineers, patwaris, and field staff regularly monitor JDA land and report any attempts at illegal occupation. She also assured that the JDA receives full support from the Jammu Municipal Corporation, Revenue Department, and local police during eviction drives.
On action against officials involved, Itoo confirmed that appropriate measures—including warnings, departmental proceedings, suspensions, and withholding of increments—have been taken. “Red entries have been recorded in the service books of Pankaj Sambyal and Romesh Kumar for their alleged role in encroachments in Tehsil Jammu South,” she added, stressing that responsibility is strictly fixed according to the law.
Outside the House, Randhawa alleged that the government is withholding the list of encroachers because many belong to the Kashmir Valley. “Why has the government failed to provide me with the list?” he questioned. (Agencies)
