A team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and police on Thursday (Nov 27, 2025) demolished a journalist’s house in Jammu, drawing sharp criticism from J&K political parties and lawyers who said the action was selective.
Officials said a team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and police reached Narwal town in Jammu to demolish the house of local journalist Arfaz Daing. However, the journalist claimed that he was not given any notice of the demolition in advance.
“Earlier, my house was demolished in Bathinda. I put on a brave face. I moved to my parents’ house. This house was also demolished. The house existed for more than 40 years. It is a selective drive. Only one house was demolished. Is my house the only illegal one in the entire city of Jammu?” said Mr. Daing.
The journalist said he sought time from the JDA team but was denied. “This is a message to those who care about fair and true journalism. Toe their line or your shelter will be taken away. It is not easy to build a house,” he added.
Senior lawyers in Jammu, including Sheikh Shakeel and Zulkarnain Choudhary, condemned the JDA’s move, calling it selective.
“The J&K High Court directive is clear that any crackdown on violators should start from the bigwigs. Around 20 million channels are being tampered with in J&K. But one person has been singled out. Interference cannot be justified, but JDA should take action against all the big violators and follow the rules and procedures,” said Mr. Shakeel.
Mr Shakeel urged J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to issue a statement regarding the unit and hold officials accountable for their “selective actions”.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and lawmaker Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also condemned the JDA’s move. “The J&K government must stop this bulldozing practice and review its decision to reject the PDP’s land legalization bill. Homes are lives, not lines to be erased,” Mr. Parra said.
CPI(M) leader and lawmaker MY Tarigami said the demolition, allegedly carried out without prior notice, was deeply disturbing. “If his (Arfaz Daing’s) allegations are true, it reflects a serious lapse in due process. No authority can bypass the procedure laid down by law. Accountability must follow,” Mr Tarigami said.
Published – 28 Nov 2025 01:34 IST
