Rasheed demands white paper on illegal occupants in Jammu

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SRINAGAR: Former legislator and Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) chief Er Rasheed on Saturday demanded a white paper on illegal occupants in Jammu, even as he condemned the demolition drive in Beli Charana that led to violent protests.

“Er Rasheed has condemned the so called anti encouragement drive in Beli Chadana where hundreds of policemen along with JDA authorities were deputed to demolish the Gujar population,” said a spokesman of AIP, in a statement. 

“The way early in this morning authorities raided Beli Charana locality and tried to demolish the houses of inhabitants is condemnable and government should never be selective and communal in its approach,” the statement quoted Rasheed as having said.

At least twelve persons including VC Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and a police officer were injured in the clashes.

“There is no justification for shelling and lathicharge on innocent inhabitants. One should not forget that their ancestors have been either massacred in 1947 or have forced to flee to Pakistan, leaving their huge properties here, which were later occupied by people of other communities,” said Rasheed, in the statement.

“On 3rd of February this year state assembly was told that there are twenty one unauthorized colonies in Jammu City but one has a right to ask why only Muslim dominated colonies are being targeted. Not even a single unauthorized colony of other community is being disturbed.”

He said that there are thousands of non-state subjects residing in Qasim Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tulu, Trikoota Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Channi Himant and various other places. “… but no one speaks about them and euphoria is being created about few families of Rohigya Muslims and Gujars who are the original state subjects of Jammu.”

He said that Shiv Sena and BJP were constantly indulging in propaganda against the Muslim population in Beli Charana and Niki Tawi and state administration is providing these forces all the logistic and other support to implement their polarized and communal agenda. 

Rasheed urged Governor Satya Pal Malik to immediately intervene and stop the situation from getting polarized and direct authorities not to treat the local population like occupants. 

He demanded a white paper from the government to let people know how many illegal occupants were living in Jammu province and how they managed to become state subjects. 

“The government is duty bound to rehabilitate the land less Gujjars and people of other tribes and communities as they are the state subjects not any invaders,” the statement quoted Rasheed as having said.