Hindu family in Jammu offers land to journalist after he loses home in anti-demolition drive
PTC News Desk: A day after the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) demolished the house of a journalist’s father during an anti-encroachment drive, a Hindu neighbour offered to donate a piece of land to the family so they can rebuild their home. The offer was made on Friday and a video of it went viral on social media, earning appreciation.
The demolition in Jammu city has created a political controversy. Several political leaders visited the site, met the affected families, and accused the authorities of targeting selected people. Kuldeep Kumar, along with his daughter Tanya, offered a five-marla plot to the journalist’s family in Transport Nagar.
Former BJP leader Ravinder Raina also visited and called the demolition selective. He said he was saddened by what he saw and promised support. He said the Prime Minister supports giving homes to the poor, not destroying them, and praised Kuldeep Kumar for promoting peace and unity. Raina claimed the decision to demolish was not ordered by the Lieutenant Governor, and questioned where the order came from.
The journalist said the demolished house belonged to his father and the family had lived there for 40 years, but no notice was given. He called it a case of targeting.
The JDA carried out the demolition on Thursday in Transport Nagar, breaking structures with bulldozers under heavy police security. Residents said they have been living there for decades and were removed without any prior warning.
Congress leader Raman Bhalla visited the site, criticized the action, and demanded responsibility. PDP leader Varinder Singh Sonu also called it a selective demolition, asking why only a small three-marla house was removed while big land grabbers were ignored.
- With inputs from agencies
