Demolitions of shops in Jammu as part of a highway expansion project have escalated into a significant political dispute, with various parties engaging in sharp exchanges while affected shopkeepers are demanding fair compensation and viable rehabilitation options. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the project, which saw the razing of 20 shops in the Satwari area on Thursday and an additional 13 on Friday.
Shopkeepers had previously voiced their opposition to the demolitions, leading to political leaders visiting the affected sites on Friday to demonstrate solidarity with the traders. The ruling National Conference (NC) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misleading the shopkeepers, asserting that the BJP had previously assured them that their businesses would not be uprooted. Rattan Lal Gupta, the Jammu provincial president of the NC, stated that the BJP had committed to providing rehabilitation and compensation to the affected shopkeepers but had failed to uphold these promises or implement any favorable decisions. Gupta emphasized the severe hardship these demolitions have inflicted on families whose livelihoods depend entirely on these shops. He further called for immediate and concrete actions from the authorities to facilitate the rehabilitation of the shopkeepers and ensure the payment of rightful compensation, rather than leaving them in a state of distress. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the NC is leveraging this issue to criticize the current administration’s handling of development projects and their impact on local businesses.
In response to the accusations, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa reassured the shopkeepers that they would be allocated newly constructed shops once the highway project reaches completion. Randhawa informed the media that notices regarding the project had been served to the shopkeepers two years prior, informing them of the impending development. He reiterated the government’s commitment to their rehabilitation and mentioned that the party had previously appealed to senior officials to avoid disrupting their livelihoods until the flyover construction, a component of the project, was finished. Randhawa added that the concerned authorities would allot shops to the affected shopkeepers as part of their compensation package. As per information available with Tahir Rihat, the BJP is attempting to frame the demolitions as a necessary step for progress while assuring affected parties of future provisions.
The Apni Party provincial president, Manjit Singh, who led a party delegation to the demolition site, criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the NHAI, labeling the demolitions as a failure to honor commitments made to the traders both before and after the demolitions. The Apni Party delegation engaged with the affected traders, listened to their concerns, and pledged to pursue the matter through all appropriate channels to secure justice, rehabilitation, and the protection of their livelihoods. Singh addressed the protesting shopkeepers, highlighting that the issue transcended the mere demolition of commercial structures, impacting the livelihoods, dignity, and future prospects of numerous families who had operated their businesses at the location for decades. The Apni Party’s intervention signals a broader political contestation over the project’s execution and its social ramifications.
The highway expansion project, a significant infrastructure undertaking, aims to improve connectivity and reduce travel times. However, the process of land acquisition and demolition for such projects often presents complex challenges, particularly concerning the displacement of established businesses and the subsequent impact on local economies and individual livelihoods. The political parties involved are using the situation to garner support and criticize their rivals, underscoring the sensitive nature of development initiatives that affect a substantial number of people. The shopkeepers, caught in the middle of this political tug-of-war, are primarily focused on securing their future and ensuring that their losses are adequately compensated and that they are provided with sustainable alternatives for their businesses. The NHAI, as the executing agency, faces pressure to expedite the project while also addressing the legitimate concerns of the affected populace. The ongoing political discourse is likely to influence the pace and manner in which the rehabilitation and compensation packages are implemented, with all parties keenly watching for any signs of resolution or further escalation of the dispute.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.