Jammu: The demolition of around 20 shops at Satwari Chowk by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has triggered a political row, with Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma questioning the manner in which the structures were removed and seeking clarity on the rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers.
The demolition was carried out on Thursday, while affected shopkeepers alleged that they were not served prior notice before their establishments were removed. The traders claimed that several of the shops had been operating at the site for decades and that they had been paying rent to the municipal authorities.
Speaking on the issue, Sharma said Jammu’s legislators had taken up the matter with the government and that commitments had been made regarding the rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers.
He said the Chief Minister had also given an assurance in the Assembly that the affected persons would be accommodated at another location.
Sharma said the government had indicated that two or three options were being considered for their relocation and that the BJP would wait for the administration to implement the assurance.
However, he questioned the manner in which the demolition was carried out, particularly the alleged action during the night.
Describing the manner of the demolition as unacceptable, Sharma said the BJP would continue to pursue the issue if the affected shopkeepers were not provided alternative sites.
The LOP said BJP legislators would visit the spot and assess the situation. He maintained that rehabilitation of the affected traders would remain the immediate concern, while cautioning that any failure to provide alternative arrangements would be taken up by the party.
The demolition has brought back into focus the long-pending issue of rehabilitation of shopkeepers affected by development and road-widening works in the Satwari area.
The UT Cabinet had earlier approved a rehabilitation and resettlement scheme for shopkeepers and open-space kiosks affected by road widening at Nai Basti and Satwari Chowk.
A JMC official, meanwhile, said the affected shopkeepers would be relocated to another site within six months.
The assurance, however, has not settled the concerns of the affected traders, who have maintained that they have received assurances of rehabilitation in the past but remain uncertain about the location and timing of their relocation.
The shopkeepers have also sought clarity on compensation and alternate commercial space, arguing that the demolition directly affects their livelihood.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has previously taken up the issue, stating that the affected shopkeepers had been paying rent to the municipal authorities and seeking alternate sites and rehabilitation.
The latest action comes amid intensified enforcement against structures considered unauthorised or obstructing public infrastructure in Jammu.
In June 2026, the Jammu Development Authority had cleared more than 30 illegal structures near Jammu railway station, reclaiming state land valued at around Rs 10 crore.
The Satwari case, however, differs in that the affected shopkeepers have raised the issue of rehabilitation and claimed long-standing occupation and payment of rent to the civic authorities.
For now, the key issue remains the implementation of the JMC’s assurance to relocate the affected shopkeepers within six months and the arrangements to be made for their livelihoods during the transition.
