A demolition drive by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) in Jammu city has sparked protests after a dozen shops owned by displaced Kashmiri Pandits were demolished, allegedly without prior notice. The shops, built three decades ago near the Muthi camp, were situated on land owned by the JDA.

The demolition, carried out on Wednesday, targeted the shops as part of a larger plan by the JDA to redevelop the area. The affected shopkeepers, many of whom have relied on these businesses for their livelihoods, condemned the move, calling it unjust and poorly timed.

Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the area to assess the situation and assured the displaced families that new shops would be built for them. He stated that the Relief Organisation had floated tenders for the construction of a shopping complex in Muthi Camp Phase II, where ten new shops would be constructed and allotted to the affected shopkeepers.

However, the demolition has led to widespread criticism from political parties and Kashmiri Pandit organisations. The BJP, PDP, Apni Party, and several other groups have condemned the JDA's actions, demanding that the displaced community be provided with alternative spaces to sustain their livelihoods.

Kuldeep Kisroo, the owner of one of the demolished shops, expressed his frustration, saying, "Instead of helping us survive by providing better facilities and financial support, this government has snatched our bread and butter by bulldozing our shops."

Jav Lal Bhat, another shopkeeper who set up his shop in 1991, questioned how they would support their families without these shops. "How can we feed our families when we are solely dependent on the earnings from these shops? We urge the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to intervene and give us justice," he said.

Another shopkeeper, Jawahir Lal, described the demolition as "sheer hooliganism" and expressed disbelief at the lack of notice. "No notices were served to us for the demolition," he said.

Anil Bhan, President of the Muthi migrant camp, criticised the timing of the demolition. "It should have waited for another month as the relief department is already constructing shops for them within the camp. This unfortunate incident could have been avoided," he said.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti shared a video of the affected shopkeepers on social media, urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the issue with compassion. "Heartbreaking scenes emerge as Kashmiri Pandit shopkeepers stand helplessly by the rubble of their demolished shops, reportedly brought down by the JDA without prior notice. This act further deepens their sense of alienation and loss," she posted.

BJP spokesperson G L Raina, who visited the site to meet the affected families, suggested that the demolition could be a retaliatory move following the return of the National Conference-Congress government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "This visibly seems to be a revenge action," Raina said. "JDA should have provided alternatives to these families. The government must stop targeting this hapless community."

Apni Party General Secretary Vijay Bakaya also expressed his dismay at the demolition. "If these shops had to be removed for any legitimate reason, notice should have been given and alternative locations provided," he said. "This high-handed action by the authorities is most condemnable."

The incident has raised questions about the government's treatment of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community and the adequacy of the alternatives being provided to them.