ibn sultan
Srinagar, Nov 28, : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday lashed out at Raj Bhawan over the ongoing demolition drive in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that officers deployed under its authority were deliberately acting without the consent of the elected government to malign his administration.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said that field staff and revenue officials were being used to carry out demolitions without taking the government into confidence. He said that bulldozers were being pressed into service without approval from ministers, calling the entire exercise a conspiracy aimed at defaming his government.
“These officers make decisions without our consent. Revenue and field staff should function under the elected government, but bulldozers are being used without taking us on board. There is no doubt that this is an attempt to defame our government,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar Abdullah further alleged that the demolition drive appeared selective in nature and raised questions over whether a particular community was being targeted. “Was there only one place in Jammu that was illegal. Why only one person was singled out. Was religion the reason. This kind of targeting is unjustified and raises serious concerns,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that while his government does not justify illegal occupation of government land, any action must be uniform, lawful and transparent. “We cannot support illegal encroachments, but the policy cannot be pick and choose. Selective action only creates suspicion and mistrust,” he added.
He alleged undue interference in the functioning of his government, saying ministers were not consulted before operations were launched. “How can such drives be carried out without even informing the concerned minister. This has happened repeatedly. It is not a one-time issue. It smells fishy,” he said.
Abdullah also claimed that demolitions were taking place without the formal approval of his administration. “This drive has not been started with our consent. We were never taken on board,” he said.
Directing the Chief Executive Officer of the Jammu Development Authority, Abdullah said that a public list must be published of all illegal structures built on state land. “Let the JDA publish a list in newspapers of those who have occupied state land illegally. You will find thousands of people in Jammu. Action should apply equally to everyone, not just a particular community,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government stands for the rule of law but will not tolerate what he described as political interference or selective enforcement under the guise of legality. (KNT )
