Crackdown on illegal properties in J&K continues; crisis-hit Pakistan interfering once more

The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s crackdown on illegal properties and encroached government lands in several areas of the Union Territory has rattled Pakistan.

The drive has been taken against those who have encroached on large chunks of government land. In fact, 23,000 hectares of land have been recovered during the continuing anti-encroachment drive in Jammu division, which started last month.

During this process, illegally built houses belonging to terrorists were also demolished in the valley. However, after suffering a financial setback, Pakistan began interfering in India’s internal affairs, condemning the act and calling it an “assault on political freedoms.”

In the recent crackdown against terrorists, several militant’s houses were razed, such as the house of Hizbul terrorist commander Amir Khan’s, which was partly demolished in Anantnag. Wanted Jaish militant Ashiq Nengroo’s house was destroyed in Pulwama.

Pakistan has started crying for Kashmir again, but the situation has reversed in the valley, where a peaceful atmosphere has been prevailing. Of late, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie Pathaan was screened in Kashmir’s first multiplex after decades, which remained packed for days.

Interestingly, politicians like Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah raised their concerns over the showing of the movie in Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah said in a conference that “the use of bulldozers should be the last option, not the first. Why did the Chief Secretary send bulldozers when the government stated in court that all illegal properties would be demolished?

Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted regarding the encroachment that neither notice was served nor ownership proof was asked. “Simply inhuman and unjust”.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone on February 6 lashed out at the administration amid the anti-encroachment drive. He went on to say that an anti-encroachment drive should be conducted against big landowners. But currently, only the poor are being targeted and left to die.