By: Tasaduq Hussain
Jammu, Nov 29, TEN Network | In recent development authorities in Jammu division on Wednesday morning went rampant against over 110 families who were settled at Airport road in Satwari for several decades now were left homeless after almost 60 structures were raised to ground in one go for violating the norms of state land supposed to be under the full control of concerned government agency with people accusing those then at the helm of affairs for violating the official norms and misusing their power for the vest interest of satisfying their blue collared bosses.
People who lived there, claim that they have nowhere to go after the action of authorities to vacate them from state land left them home and hopeless, according to them they have been living there for several decades, had came up with concrete structures and we were never stopped from constructing houses here over the years even we used to carry renovation works time to time when needed but not a single time were we asked to stop or not to do this.
Living for over 6 decades here a day came when authorities approached us with documents asking us to leave this place and facilitate the expansion of airport road without hurdlers calling this spot a state land following which we approached Court to fight for our right to rehabilitation and compensation which even after demolition drive remains pending thus leaving us on God’s mercy. When according to them Jammu and Kashmir High court has directed the authorities to provide an alternate land, rehabilitate us and properly facilitate us despite the directions single sided norms were followed and we have now been rendered homeless amid bone chilling cold winter season.
The question here is who allowed residents to construct and come-up with concrete structures since when the same is most visited spot and under the nose of authorities, if the people have to face as such harsh treatment from authorities why not those who were serving this division as administrators and holding the chair of concerned agencies, its them who are to be blamed which actually led to these moments in our lives, the then officials at the helm of affairs should be quizzed for their mismanagement of affairs not interfering at that time thus violation the government policies for state land, all those should be booked under the provisions of law, few of the affected Families told The Earth News.
They said that, during the tenure of successive government regimes in Jammu and Kashmir had we been considered as humans we would meted at least positive fate, none has ever intervened into the matter for years despite when we approached almost all those in power including politicians and administrators but we were kept in dark far from reality to the time when we saw our own den of hopes, secret of thousands of conversations lone nests being destroyed completely without having shelter over our heads.
The move has not only affected the heads of families but the education of many kids who used to join schools but didn’t attended their classes on Thursday in absence of all the things including Tiffin box, uniform and other study material, it will continue until we find some permanent place to settle and beat the bone chilling cold winds.
“Khajal kitta govt ne” (left with no option by Govt), a women full in tears said, we have been left clueless without an iota of hope, we have been paying electricity, drinking water and other rentals for years still at the end we meted step motherly approach from authorities side since when the matter is still pending before honorable court.
An elderly said that we are here for over 60 years now, many of the times officials from district administration approached us asking to vacate the place at the earnest of demolition drive, the concern is the land provided after High court pronounced that all those residing here should be rehabilitated, land provided by authorities is not in our possession a case by a section of people claiming piece their own stands registered, disputed land being provided can be used after conclusion of case only once court pronounces it in our favor.
There are many young unmarried girls, little kids and elderly person who can’t bear sleeping under open sky amid ongoing weather conditions who are left cloth less after the drive as the stock accumulated is in total mess we’re even unaware about other important things whether we have fetched that or is destroyed along with our homes.
Almost all the constructions had came up after hard labor in the scorching heat and bone chilling winter under different circumstances and atmosphere.
This case is sub-judice with High Court, despite notice to all the officials stating that until when Honorable court pronounces some order into the matter none should hamper the living of residents and not to make them move, Honorable chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir has shown serious concern with it and had assured that case will be speedy disposed off even then we were made to come out on roads amid heavy rains with no other option left, Jasmeet kaur a local affected member and a practicing lawyer said.
we are left on roadsides to spend our days and nights, our existence is merely limited to votes only since politicians have considered us as vote banks only, post the drive not a single politicians has visited us, had it been election time our area may have had witnessed heavy rush of politicians claiming us their people and helping us but at this times our only hope is the one ruling this universe since we have moved from pillar to the post for rehabilitation purpose for several months but all our request felt to deaf ears.
