SRINAGAR: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Deeba Khan, Vice President of AAP Kashmir Province and Incharge of the party’s Women’s Wing, on Friday strongly condemned the demolition of a journalist’s house in Jammu, calling it “selective, targeted and politically motivated.” Khan’s remarks come a day after authorities in Jammu carried out a demolition operation that has triggered widespread criticism from political groups and civil society.
In a post on X, Khan wrote, “The selective and targeted demolition of the house of a journalist in Jammu today after the demolitions in Ganderbal speaks volumes about the intent of this Government. Having been elected to lead the people out of the miseries inflicted upon them since 2019 this Govt has proved to be nothing but an extended arm of those who want to pulverise the dignity of the people of J&K. We will not forget, we will not forgive!! #Notodemolitions #Selectivedemolitions.”
The demolition in Jammu involved the residence of a local journalist whose family claims they received either no notice or an inadequate one before the structure was torn down.
Earlier this week, demolition drives in Ganderbal, particularly around the Nallah Sindh belt, had already stirred political debate. Officials citing the 2013 directions of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that has banned all constructions within 100 meters on each side of the river Sindh in the district, officials said they continue demolitions against fresh constructions. But many locals argued that the exercise was selective, claiming only certain households were targeted while politically connected properties remained untouched.
The back-to-back demolitions in Jammu and Ganderbal have prompted opposition groups to accuse the administration of using bulldozer-led enforcement as a tool for political messaging rather than impartial governance.
Khan’s statement, several other political figures from regional parties echoed similar concerns, warning that the government must ensure transparency and fairness in all anti-encroachment operations.
