Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Budhal, Javed Iqbal Choudhary, along with MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, visited the Sidhra-Raika Bandi area in Jammu to express solidarity with the tribal families rendered homeless following Tuesday’s demolition drive carried out by the administration.
The legislators, in an official statement, described the condition of the affected families — including women, children, infants and elderly persons — as “deeply heartbreaking.”
“The sequence of events strongly suggests that the ruthless demolition operation, conducted in scorching heat without regard for basic human dignity, was carried out under the influence of a BJP-backed lobby,” they said.
They further stated that such actions had raised serious concerns among the people regarding the misuse of authority and politically motivated targeting of vulnerable communities.
MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to order an immediate and impartial investigation into the matter and ensure that government officers do not act under political pressure or indulge in populist agendas.
He said his preliminary assessment of available records and statements indicated that there was no encroachment on forest land and that the action appeared to be politically motivated.
He further stated that if the investigation confirms these findings, the officers responsible for the alleged injustice must face exemplary punishment.
Javed Iqbal Choudhary emphasised that, irrespective of political affiliations, all sections of society must unite against the “bulldozer mindset,” which he said was against the rule of law and democratic values.
He asserted that such actions should never be allowed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reaffirming his commitment to protecting people’s rights and dignity, Javed Iqbal Choudhary said no effort would be spared in seeking justice for the affected families and that every possible democratic and constitutional avenue, including approaching the Prime Minister, would be explored.
