The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes and sharp exchanges on Friday after BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa alleged that people from the Kashmir Valley had encroached upon government land in Jammu city.
The controversy erupted during the Question Hour when Randhawa raised the issue of illegal occupation of land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).
Replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, Social Welfare Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the House that, as per official records, land measuring 688 kanals and 17 marlas in Tehsil Bahu and 579 kanals in Tehsil Jammu South is currently under illegal encroachment.
She clarified that these encroachments are not recent and that eviction proceedings are underway in accordance with the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act and other applicable laws.
The minister further stated that since January 2025, authorities have conducted 34 anti-encroachment drives in the two tehsils, resulting in the retrieval of 140 kanals and 11 marlas of JDA land.
Randhawa, however, alleged that many of the settlements on the encroached land belonged to people from the Kashmir Valley and claimed that nearly 90 percent of the habitations were set up by them. He urged the government to conduct a probe and take strict action to clear encroachments in his constituency.
“We have no issue if Kashmiris legally purchase land and build homes in Jammu, but construction on government land should not be allowed,” he said, adding that over 16,000 kanals of JDA land were allegedly under encroachment in Jammu.
His remarks triggered protests from members of the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, who objected to linking the issue with any particular region.
Rejecting the allegations, Itoo asserted that encroachment is an administrative issue and should not be viewed through a regional or communal lens. She emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir must not be divided on such grounds and that the government remains committed to addressing illegal occupations strictly as per the law.
