Omar Government Orders Probe Into Demolition of Gujjar-Bakerwal Homes in Jammu

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

JAMMU, MAY 22:– In an significant development following the sudden demolition of houses belonging to Gujjar-Bakerwal families at Raika, Sidra in Jammu, the Omar Abdullah Government late Friday evening has ordered a high-level inquiry into the entire episode, amid mounting outrage and allegations of gross abuse of power by officials of the Forest and other Departments.

The Government has constituted a broad-based Inquiry Committee headed by senior KAS officer Rajinder Singh Tara, with the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Jammu and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Jammu as members. The Committee has been directed to submit its report within one week.

Sources indicate that “several heads may roll” in the Forest Department as the Government has taken a serious and uncompromising view of the demolitions, especially after revelations that many of the affected families were migrant Gujjars from rural Kashmir and Pir Panjal who had fled militancy and violence over the years and were struggling to rebuild their lives in Jammu.

Tribal Affairs Department has also stepped in by constituting a separate fact-finding committee headed by senior KAS officer Mumtaz Ali to examine possible violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the constitutional safeguards guaranteed to Scheduled Tribes.

The demolitions have triggered shock waves across the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, with tribal organizations terming the action as “targeted persecution” carried out under the garb of anti-encroachment and anti-drug operations Jammu.

Community leaders allege that for over a decade, Gujjars in Jammu have faced systematic harassment, social profiling and selective targeting by fringe elements and sections within the administration.

They argue that poor tribal families are being singled out in the name of state land retrieval, while influential politicians, businessmen, land mafias and powerful bureaucrats continue to enjoy complete impunity.

The incident has also reignited criticism of the functioning of the Dyarchy, with allegations that governance has effectively been “hijacked” by a select group of bureaucrats.

Critics point out that despite serious allegations of corruption and misconduct against certain senior IAS officers in recent years, accountability and prosecution have remained elusive.

Political observers believe the Raika demolitions may emerge as a major flashpoint in Jammu and Kashmir politics, particularly on issues concerning tribal rights, administrative excesses and selective enforcement of law.

Further developments are awaited as both inquiry committees begin investigations amid growing public anger and political pressure.