A team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and police on Thursday (November 27, 2025) demolished the house of a journalist in Jammu, drawing severe criticism from J&K political parties and lawyers who alleged the action was selective.
Officials said a team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and police reached Narwal, Jammu, to demolish the house of local journalist Arfaz Daing. However, the journalist claimed he was not served any demolition notice beforehand.
“Earlier, my house was demolished in Bathindi. I put up a brave face. I shifted to my parents’ house. This house too was demolished. The house existed for more than 40 years. It’s a selective drive. Only one house was demolished. Is my house the only illegal one in the entire Jammu city?” Mr. Daing said.
The journalist said he sought time from the JDA team but was denied. “This is a message for those who are into fair and truthful journalism. Toe their line, else your shelter will be taken away. It’s not easy to build a house,” he added.
Senior lawyers in Jammu, including Sheikh Shakeel and Zulkarnain Choudhary, condemned the JDA’s move and termed it selective.
“The J&K High Court’s direction is clear that any drive against encroachers should start from the bigwigs. Around 20 lakh kanals are encroached upon in J&K. However, one person was singled out. One cannot justify encroachment, but the JDA should act against all big violators and follow the rules and procedures,” Mr. Shakeel said.
Mr. Shakeel urged J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to issue a statement regarding the drive and hold the officials accountable for their ‘selective action’.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also condemned the JDA’s move. “The J&K government must stop this bulldozer practice and review its decision to reject PDP’s land regularisation bill. Homes are lives, not lines to be erased,” Mr. Parra said.
CPI(M) leader and legislator M.Y. Tarigami said the demolition, allegedly carried out without prior notice, is deeply concerning. “If his ( Arfaz Daing) claims are true, it reflects a serious lapse in due process. No authority can bypass the procedure established by law. Accountability must follow,” Mr. Tarigami said.
Published – November 28, 2025 01:34 am IST
