Protests Erupt in Jammu Over Alleged Forest Land Encroachment
Protest in Jammu over forestland ‘encroachment’
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Protesters, led by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, demonstrated against alleged encroachment of forest land by a specific community near Mahamaya temple in Jammu, India. The protest disrupted traffic on the Jammu-Nagrota national highway, with accusations directed at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government for enabling such actions.
- 01Protest led by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa against alleged forest land encroachment.
- 02Demonstrators accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of facilitating encroachments.
- 03Randhawa claims that 95% of land has been encroached upon by a particular community since 1996.
- 04Protesters emphasized that encroachments should be evicted regardless of religion.
- 05Traffic was disrupted on the Jammu-Nagrota national highway for nearly two hours.
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On Wednesday, protesters in Jammu, India, led by Vikram Randhawa (BJP MLA from Bahu assembly constituency), staged a demonstration against alleged encroachment of forest land near the Mahamaya temple. The protest, which lasted for nearly two hours and disrupted traffic on the Jammu-Nagrota national highway 44, was fueled by accusations that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government is allowing encroachment by residents from Kashmir. Randhawa claimed that since 1996, 95% of state land has been encroached upon, primarily by one community, and criticized the government for not taking action. He highlighted that illegal constructions have been established with access to water, power, and internet facilities in forest areas. Randhawa insisted that the issue should not be politicized and called for the eviction of all encroachers, regardless of their religion.
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The protest highlights ongoing tensions regarding land use and encroachment in Jammu, affecting local residents and governance.
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