Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Jammu on Wednesday to protest what they claim are widespread encroachments on forest and state lands within the Shivalik range that surrounds the city.
The protest, led by Vikram Randhawa, a BJP MLA representing the Bahu constituency, saw participants carrying signs with messages such as “Save Jammu forest” and “Stop grabbing Jammu lands.” The demonstrators marched along Sidhra road before staging a sit-in. Sources indicate to TahirRihat.com that, the protesters ignited tires and called for the immediate removal of those occupying the land illegally.
The protesters are urging the lieutenant governor to initiate an “Encroachment-free Jammu” campaign, drawing parallels with the Nasha Mukht Abhiyaan, an anti-drug program. They voiced their concerns about alleged “outsider land-grabbers” and cautioned that they would stage a major agitation if immediate action wasn’t taken to stop the encroachment of government lands. As a result of the demonstration, the Sidhra bypass was closed for more than two hours.
Randhawa addressed reporters at the scene, explaining that the protest was intended to raise awareness within the government about ongoing encroachments allegedly being carried out by non-Dogras. According to Randhawa, the goal of these encroachments is to alter the region’s demography, while authorities are allegedly providing water, electricity, roads, and drainage facilities in these forest areas. He further alleged that land belonging to the forest department, the state, and the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) in areas including Bathindi, Sunjwan, Bajalta, Sidhra, Raika, Narwal, and Bahu, is being encroached upon.
Randhawa claimed that settlers from outside Jammu have occupied thousands of kanals of government and forest land. He asserted that these settlers are receiving various amenities, which is facilitating further encroachment in other areas as well. He specifically claimed that people from Kashmir have settled on encroached land in Jammu, while alleging that no Dogra from Jammu has encroached on lands in Kashmir and settled there. Randhawa conveyed a message to the Chief Minister, urging him to examine the lists of encroachers to determine their identities. He also stated, “We will not allow Dogra culture, identity, heritage and Jammu forests to be destroyed.”
The BJP legislator accused the government of ignoring repeated warnings regarding the alleged illegal occupation of JDA and other state lands. He clarified, “We don’t oppose anyone legally purchasing land and settling in Jammu. But illegal occupation of land will not be tolerated. We want district administration, forest authorities and JDA to act against the land mafia.” Randhawa further accused the chief minister and the ruling dispensation of “weakening the Dogra identity of Jammu.”
According to official data, Jammu district has 1,45,487 kanals and six marlas of encroached land, compared to Srinagar which has recorded 13,862.95 kanals. This data indicates that Jammu district has over ten times more encroached state land than Srinagar. In April, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Assembly that over 16,000 kanals of JDA land were encroached upon and said eviction drives were being conducted in a phased manner.
During a session in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the JDA manages 80,976 kanals and 10 marlas of land, of which 16,127 kanals and 10 marlas were under illegal occupation (According to news reports). The Chief Minister was replying to a question by BJP MLA Narinder Singh Raina.
In Jammu and Kashmir, one kanal is equivalent to 20 marlas and measures approximately 5,445 square feet, while one marla is approximately 272 square feet.
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.
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