After the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) demolished the residence of local journalist Afraz Deng on Thursday over alleged encroachment, the action has triggered sharp political reactions and widespread public outrage. The journalist and his family have termed the demolition “vindictive” and alleged that no prior notice was issued before their house was torn down.
A day after the incident, a Hindu neighbour stepped forward and offered land to the journalist’s family.
“If the government has demolished their 10 marla house, we will give them 20 marla,” he announced.
Afraz Deng said the demolished house was registered under his father, Ghulam Qadir, and was built nearly four decades ago—long before the JDA even existed. He alleged that the move was punishment for his recent reporting on a major drug trafficking network in Jammu, where he accused a police officer of involvement.
In a video that went viral on social media, Deng is seen reporting in front of the rubble of his demolished home as police officers attempt to seize his phone.
Locals present at the site questioned the administration’s priorities, saying authorities should first act against large private hotels, commercial establishments and encroachments protected by political patronage.
“We are labourers. This house was built with years of hard work. They didn’t even allow us to remove our children’s belongings,” Deng’s father said.
Political parties and civil society groups have strongly criticised the government. AAP leader Jayesh Gupta termed the action “the state crushing the powerless.” National Conference leader Rajesh said the family was not served any notice, calling it a clear violation of law.
Advocate Zulqarnain Chaudhary of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court claimed that, according to court records, nearly 20 lakh kanals of government land under JDA remain encroached, yet only the poor are being targeted.
“If the law is equal for all, then the bulldozer must also be equal for all,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, similar anti-encroachment drives are underway in the Kangan region. Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone condemned the demolition as a “punitive and intimidation-driven action,” alleging that residents were not allowed to retrieve their possessions.
PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra argued that people living on land for over 20 years should not be treated as encroachers but as citizens with a constitutional right to housing.
The administration has not issued any official statement on the incident so far.
The demolition has reignited debates on governance, press freedom, selective enforcement of law, and alleged misuse of state power in Jammu and Kashmir.
For now, Afraz Deng and his family are living in temporary accommodation. Construction on the donated land is expected to begin soon.
