Jammu, May 19 (KNO): A joint team of the Forest Department and police on Tuesday carried out a major anti-encroachment drive in the Raika forest belt near Mahamaya Temple in the Bahu Fort area, demolishing multiple illegal structures and reclaiming prime forest land.
The operation was conducted early morning between 6:00 am and 7:00 am on forest land located on the lower side of Mohmaya Temple, opposite Environment Park in the Bandhi area, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Bagh-e-Bahu.
The drive was led by Divisional Forest Officer (Urban Forest) Ashwani Mittal and supported by local police and civil administration.
Senior police officers, including Vabhiav Meena, SP South Jammu, and Aana Sinha, SP Headquarters, were present on the spot, along with SDPO East and Station House Officers of Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi, Gangyal, Gandhi Nagar and Satwari.
Officials informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that around 14 to 15 structures were demolished during the operation, while separate official inputs indicated that the broader drive in the Mahamaya forest belt resulted in the removal of nearly 20 to 30, including both mud and concrete constructions.
The operation led to the retrieval of approximately 60 kanals of forest land in the Raika Bandi area of the lower Shivalik range, land estimated to be worth crores of rupees.
“The drive was conducted peacefully and concluded without any immediate law and order issue,” an official said. However, authorities acknowledged the possibility of backlash from affected families.
“There is a likelihood of protests, sloganeering or attempts to block roads in the coming hours or days. Preventive deployment and close monitoring have been put in place,” the official added.
Residents whose structures were demolished staged protests, terming the action “unjustified” and alleging a lack of prior notice.
Officials, however, maintained that encroachments in the area had increased significantly over the past five to six years, with new constructions continuing to come up on forest land.
The Forest Department reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards encroachment. “We will not allow any forest land to be occupied illegally. Mapping, videography and documentation of forest areas will be undertaken, and records will be uploaded after verification,” an official said—(KNO)