Jammu, 22 November (IANS). Jammu Development Authority has demolished the shops built by Kashmiri Pandit migrants. After this, protests started there. The affected persons have urged the government to resolve their plight and demanded new shops.
Victim Rajendra Kumar told IANS on Friday, “I had opened my shop two days ago. Some people came with a bulldozer and told me to vacate all the goods from the shop within an hour. I could not even remove all the goods and the bulldozer The action was taken. The entire shop was demolished. We were not given any information about this action.
He told that he has been running the shop here for 35 years. They don’t know what the government is going to build at this place. He was earning Rs 100-200 daily from the shop, which was enough to support the family. Children were also studying. Due to the action being taken at the shop, we are back on the road.
Another shopkeeper told that he has been living here since 1991. They were raising their children with the help of their shop. He said, “I want to ask the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) whether notice was given to any shopkeeper. If any shopkeeper has signed the notice, I will apologize to the JDA. Yesterday three people came to my shop. I It seemed that they had come to buy something. But before I could understand anything, half of the goods remained inside the shop. With the help of the local people, I was able to take out half of the goods.”
He has demanded justice from the Lieutenant Governor. Also asked Omar Abdullah, “You are the Chief Minister here, before taking action on our shops, didn’t you think where we will go?”
Another shopkeeper Kuldeep told that his shop has also been demolished. There were small shops here. Shopkeepers used to earn Rs 400-500 from each shop. We have also been given government accommodation here. We were running our shop here to support the family. On 20th November, JDA people came early in the morning. We shopkeepers were just opening our shop. One hour was given to vacate the goods, after which the shops were demolished. We were running the shop here for 35 years, no one ever said anything. Suddenly our shop is demolished. We are not able to understand anything.
Commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the spot and assured the shopkeepers that new shops would be built in the area.
He told IANS, “We have already issued the tender, which will be finalized in a few days. Construction of the shops will start soon. The public had already demanded shops there, and the tender will be done. It will be finalized by 25th. PWD is the executing agency and through them we will allot shops as per the norms.”
–IANS
DKM/AKJ
