Jammu, Jan 15, KNT: Tension prevailed in Belicharana village of Jammu on Thursday after agitated locals pelted stones at vehicles of the Jammu Development Authority following a demolition drive in the area, officials and locals said.
According to locals, JDA officials used a JCB to dismantle the boundary walls of a graveyard in Belicharana, triggering outrage among the inhabitants. They alleged that heavy machinery was also used inside the graveyard and that even graves were not spared during the operation.
Eyewitnesses told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the action led to angry protests, with locals pelting stones at JDA vehicles and forcing the officials to leave the area. However, before withdrawing, a large portion of the graveyard had already been dismantled.
The locals alleged that JDA officials labelled them as Bangladeshis and asked the police to check their identity documents, further escalating tensions. They said such actions were humiliating and deeply hurt their sentiments.
“For the last three decades, JDA has been taking money from us and allowing structures to come up. Today, the graveyard of the poor has been targeted,” a local said, alleging selective action and discrimination.
Locals also alleged that they were being targeted because of their religion and said the demolition drive had caused fear and resentment among the community. They demanded an immediate halt to such actions and sought intervention from higher authorities.
Belicharana is a village located on the outskirts of Jammu city, situated just north of Jammu Airport. A JDU official who was present on the site declined to comment on the matter. [KNT]
