NC delegation visits Roop Nagar, condemns JDA’s demolition drive

Jammu|: A high level National Conference delegation led by Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal and Provincial President Mr Rattan Lal Gupta Friday visited Roop Nagar and expressed solidarity with the Gujjar families, whose dwelling units were razed to ground by Jammu Development Authority, rendering them roofless in these chilly winters.
Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal expressed anguish over the authoritarian attitude of the JDA and accompanying official teams, saying subjecting the aged, old, sick, women and children to the worst type of miseries is a human rights violation, which cannot be condoned. The erring official teams must be held accountable for their inhuman treatment to the hapless families.
Additional General Secretary expressed surprise over singling out a particular section of the population despite the JDA claiming whopping lands being under illegal occupation. He said this speaks of the anti-poor, anti-minority and anti-people attitude of the administration, which has shown no compassion while dealing with the situation. He said the dwellers were residing in the area from ages and their ancestors were legitimate occupants of the land on which dwelling units were raised.
Provincial President Mr Rattan Lal Gupta condemned the demolition drive and expressed surprise that the dwelling units were razed to ground without any prior notice or intimation to the dwellers.
Mr Gupta sought course correction on the wrong committed and hoped that the administration will ensure their rehabilitation at their places of dwelling in the Roop Nagar area. In view of the prevailing cold conditions, the residents cannot be left in lurch on roads. The government must show some compassion towards these unfortunate people, which include women and children, and take necessary steps in mitigating their problems.
Senior leader Mrs Vijay Dutta told the media persons that demolition of the structures without any prior notice speaks volumes about the administrative apathy and condemned the JDA action.
Prominent among those present in the delegation included : Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Vijay Lochan, Abdul GaniTeli, Ch. Rehmat Ali, Farooq Mughal, S. Tejinder Singh, S. Sandeep Singh, NitishGowsami, ZamirQuershi, Mohinder Kumar Rana and others.