Brief Uproar in J&K Assembly Over Land Occupation Remarks, Minister Terms Allegations Divisive

Jammu, Feb 13, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday witnessed a brief uproar during Question Hour after BJP lawmaker Vikram Randhawa alleged that 90 percent of people from Kashmir had illegally occupied land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority in Jammu.

Raising the issue on the floor of the House, the BJP member said he had no objection to individuals purchasing land through legal means but maintained that illegal occupation could not be justified under any circumstances.

The remarks triggered immediate reactions from treasury benches. Minister Sakina Itoo responded sharply, stating that it had become a routine for certain members to repeatedly invoke regional narratives of Jammu versus Kashmir. She asserted that illegal land occupation, whether in Jammu or Kashmir, was unlawful and subject to action under the law.

Amid loud protests and counter-arguments from members across the aisle, the minister said that raising fingers at a particular community was not appropriate and amounted to divisive politics. She stressed that enforcement agencies must act against encroachments strictly in accordance with legal provisions, without regional or communal overtones.

The exchanges led to noisy scenes in the House. The BJP member later moved towards the Well of the House even as Speaker declared the end of Question Hour, urging members to maintain decorum.

Normal proceedings resumed shortly thereafter. [KNT]