Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday constituted a committee to investigate possible violations of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 during the demolition of tribal houses in Jammu’s Sidra area, even as the operation triggered sharp political reactions, allegations of selective targeting and demands for judicial intervention.
The Department of Tribal Affairs set up a two-member panel comprising Director Tribal Affairs Mohammad Mumtaz Ali and Muzamil Hassan Choudhary to enquire into and report on any violations of the Forest Rights Act during the recent demolition drive in Raiki Bandi, Sidra. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days.
The probe comes a day after authorities carried out a large-scale anti-encroachment operation in the Mahamaya forest belt, reclaiming nearly 60 kanals of forest land reportedly worth crores of rupees.
The joint drive was conducted by officials of the Forest Department, Forest Protection Force, Revenue Department and police in the lower Shivalik range around Jammu city.
Officials said several structures allegedly raised on forest land were demolished as part of efforts to retrieve ecologically sensitive land from encroachers.
The demolition drive, however, sparked outrage among political parties and tribal groups, with allegations that poor tribal families were targeted without proper notice or rehabilitation.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary termed the demolitions “unfortunate” and questioned why authorities failed to intervene when the structures were allegedly being raised if the land belonged to the forest department.
“People build homes after immense hardships. If the constructions were illegal, where were the concerned departments at that time?” he asked while speaking to reporters in Uri.
The Deputy CM said the issue was linked to humanity rather than religion or politics and urgedPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and ensure rehabilitation and compensation for the affected families.
He also remarked that the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir has limited administrative powers in the Union Territory setup.
“Neither can we transfer officers nor control postings and promotions of many officials,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken serious note of the matter.
Choudhary further claimed that they were informed the land was government land and not forest land, asserting that due legal notice should have preceded any demolition.
The Congress also mounted an attack on the administration, demanding a high-level judicial inquiry headed by a sitting or retired High Court judge.
JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla alleged that over 40 families were uprooted in a “midnight demolition drive” without due process.
“We are not against action against illegal encroachments, but this selective and inhumane action against poor families is unacceptable,” Bhalla said.
He questioned the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that people residing on forest land for decades were entitled to legal protection under the law.
Congress spokesperson Ravinder Sharma alleged that lakhs of rural residents could face eviction if such drives continued unchecked.
People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone dismissed the government’s inquiry as a “mere eyewash,” saying the issue could have been determined immediately if authorities genuinely intended to verify FRA violations.
Quoting provisions of the Forest Rights Act, Lone said tribal and traditional forest dwellers cannot be evicted until the process of recognition and verification of their claims is fully completed.
“This is another attempt at denial and passing the buck,” he said.
The Awami Ittehad Party also condemned the demolitions, calling them “anti-poor” and discriminatory. AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi questioned why action was being taken only against economically weaker sections while influential land grabbers allegedly remained untouched.
Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed concern over the demolitions, describing them as “very disturbing” and alleging selective targeting of tribal Gujjar-Bakerwal families under the guise of law enforcement.
Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Ashok Koul defended the anti-encroachment campaign, asserting that no genuine residential structures had been touched during the operation.
“No house of genuine residents has been touched. Action is being taken only against illegal encroachments on government and forest land,” Koul said during a party event in Srinagar.
He maintained that the drive was being carried out in accordance with court directions issued in 2020 and was aimed at protecting public resources and preventing further illegal occupation of state and forest land.
Koul also said the BJP was witnessing growing support in Kashmir, claiming that people had “lost faith” in the ruling National Conference due to corruption and misgovernance.
The Sidra demolitions have now escalated into a wider political flashpoint, with mounting pressure on the administration over allegations of selective enforcement, violation of tribal rights and lack of rehabilitation measures for affected families.
