Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, in connection with the demolition of houses belonging to tribal families in the Raika Bandi area of Sidhra on the outskirts of Jammu.
According to an official order issued by the Department of Tribal Affairs, a two-member committee has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the demolition drive and submitting its report within seven days.
The committee comprises Director Tribal Affairs, J&K, Mohammad Mumtaz Ali, JKAS, and Assistant Director, Directorate of Tribal Affairs, Muzamil Hassan Choudhary, JKAS.
The order stated that the panel would specifically examine “any violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, in respect of the recent demolition of houses of tribal families in Raika Bandi (Sidhra), Jammu.”
The inquiry comes in the wake of a large-scale anti-encroachment drive conducted jointly by officials of the Forest Department, Revenue Department and Police on Tuesday, during which around 25 structures were demolished and nearly 60 kanals of alleged forest land retrieved.
The operation sparked widespread protests and outrage among members of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community, who alleged that the demolitions were carried out without prior notice and in violation of tribal and forest rights protections guaranteed under law.
Several affected families claimed they had been residing in the area for generations and alleged that many of them possessed documents, including entries in old voter lists, to support their claims of long-term habitation.
The demolition drive quickly turned into a political flashpoint, with leaders from the ruling Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party visiting the affected area to express solidarity with the displaced families.
Senior National Conference leaders, including Forest Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, visited Sidhra and strongly condemned the demolition drive, terming it “illegal and unjust.” Rana announced that he had ordered an inquiry into the incident and warned of action against officials found responsible.
“We will not stand by as silent spectators to this selective harassment and high-handedness,” Rana had said during his visit to the site, while assuring the affected tribal families that the matter would be taken up with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Leaders and representatives of the Apni Party also visited Raika Bandi and interacted with the affected families, demanding rehabilitation measures and a fair investigation into the demolition exercise.
The issue has intensified debate over the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly concerning the rights of nomadic and tribal communities such as the Gujjar and Bakarwal populations, many of whom depend on forest land for shelter and livelihood.
The government’s decision to order a formal inquiry is being viewed as an attempt to address mounting public concern and political criticism surrounding the controversial demolition drive.
