Jammu, Jan 14: A high level National Conference (NC) delegation led by the additional general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal and provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta Friday visited Roop Nagar and expressed solidarity with the Gujjar families, whose dwelling units were razed to ground by Jammu Development Authority, rendering them roofless in these chilly winters.

A party statement said that Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal expressed anguish over the authoritarian attitude of the JDA and accompanying official teams, saying subjecting the aged, old, sick, women and children to the worst type of miseries is a human rights violation, which cannot be condoned. The erring official teams must be held accountable for their inhuman treatment to the hapless families.

The additional general secretary expressed surprise over singling out a particular section of the population despite the JDA claiming whopping lands being under illegal occupation. 

He said this speaks of “the anti-poor, anti-minority and anti-people” attitude of the administration, which has shown no compassion while dealing with the situation. 

He said the dwellers were residing in the area from ages and their ancestors were legitimate occupants of the land on which dwelling units were raised.

The provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta condemned the demolition drive and expressed surprise that the dwelling units were razed to ground without any prior notice or intimation to the dwellers.

Senior leader Mrs Vijay Dutta told the media persons that demolition of the structures without any prior notice speaks volumes about the administrative apathy and condemned the JDA action.