BJP MLA Alleges Valley Residents Encroaching JDA Land in Jammu; House Witnesses Uproar

JAMMU, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed uproar on Friday after BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa alleged that people from the Kashmir Valley have encroached upon government land in Jammu city, drawing strong objections from ruling members.

Replying to a question raised by Randhawa during Question Hour, Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo said that, as per official records, 688 kanals and 17 marlas of land in Tehsil Bahu and 579 kanals in Tehsil Jammu South are under illegal encroachment. She said the encroachments are old and are being removed under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act and other relevant laws.

The minister informed the House that since January 2025, 34 anti-encroachment drives have been conducted in the two tehsils, leading to retrieval of 140 kanals and 11 marlas of land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

Randhawa alleged that habitations of people hailing from the Valley have come up on encroached JDA and government land and claimed that 90 per cent of such habitations belonged to Valley residents. “We have no issue if Kashmiris legally purchase land in Jammu, but they should not build on government land,” he said, demanding a probe and removal of encroachments in his constituency. He also claimed that over 16,000 kanals of JDA land are under encroachment in Jammu.

The remarks triggered protests from ruling National Conference members. Itoo rejected the allegations and cautioned against viewing encroachment issues through a regional lens, saying Jammu and Kashmir should not be divided on such grounds.

As protests intensified, Randhawa walked towards the Well of the House holding documents and sought immediate action. The minister said fencing and signboards have been installed to prevent fresh encroachments and that teams of junior engineers, patwaris and field staff regularly monitor JDA land.

She added that the JDA has adequate manpower and receives cooperation from the Jammu Municipal Corporation, Revenue Department and local police during eviction drives. On action against officials, Itoo said warnings, departmental proceedings, red entries, suspensions and withholding of increments have been initiated where required. Red entries were made in the service books of Pankaj Sambyal and Romesh Kumar for alleged involvement in encroachment of JDA land in Jammu South.

Later, speaking to reporters outside the House, Randhawa alleged that the government was withholding the list of encroachers because they belonged to the Valley and questioned why it had not been shared with him. (Agencies)