A day after the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) demolished the house of social media journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing in the Narwal area, a generous neighbour stepped forward to support the affected family. According to PTI, local resident Kuldeep Kumar visited the family on Friday and offered them a five-marla plot in Jammu’s Transport Nagar to help them rebuild their home.
Kumar, who was accompanied by his daughter, said his gesture was an effort to stand by the family during a difficult time.
“I am gifting five marlas of land through my daughter so that my brother can rebuild his house,” he told reporters.
The video of his announcement has gone viral on social media, with many praising the act of solidarity. Kumar has also offered assistance in the construction of the new house.
Journalist Claims No Notice Given Before Demolition
Daing, who runs the news portal Seher News, alleged that the JDA razed his home without prior notice and described the action as a “message” to journalists who report critically on government matters.
The JDA has maintained that the drive was part of an ongoing operation to remove encroachments from government land across Jammu. Similar action took place a day earlier in Kangan, central Kashmir.
Demolition Triggers Political Storm
The demolition has ignited a political controversy, with parties trading blame over the incident.
Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah criticised the lieutenant governor’s administration, accusing appointed officers of carrying out politically motivated bulldozer campaigns.
“Officers appointed by Raj Bhawan, without consulting the elected government or the concerned minister, are using bulldozers. It’s a ploy to defame the elected government,” Abdullah said in Srinagar.
He reiterated that key development authority positions and revenue staff should be appointed by the elected government, not externally.
BJP’s Ravinder Raina Calls Action ‘Selective’
Former J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina, after meeting the affected family, termed the demolition “selective”.
“I was pained to see this. Our Prime Minister believes in giving homes to the poor, not demolishing them. We will ensure all help,” Raina said.
He praised Kuldeep Kumar’s gesture as an example of communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
Raina also denied the involvement of the LG’s administration, saying no demolition orders came from them.
“Neither the LG’s administration nor the BJP government can be blamed. We are not an elected government in J&K. Only the elected government headed by CM Omar Abdullah knows what went wrong,” he added.
