J&K Assembly

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly saw heated scenes on Friday after BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa claimed that a large amount of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) land had been illegally occupied in his constituency.

Randhawa said that about 16,212 kanals of JDA land in Jammu were under encroachment. Out of this, around 690 kanals were in his constituency. He further claimed that “around 90 percent” of this land had been encroached by people from Kashmir. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

His remarks caused strong protests inside the House, with several MLAs objecting to what they described as divisive comments.

Government Response

Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo, replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said that encroachment is illegal whether it happens in Jammu or Kashmir.

She accused Randhawa of repeatedly raising a “Jammu versus Kashmir” narrative.

Itoo provided official figures, stating that:

• 688 kanals and 17 marlas of land in Tehsil Bahu
• 579 kanals in Tehsil Jammu South

were under illegal encroachment.

She added that these were old cases and action was being taken under the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988 and other relevant laws.

Action Taken So Far

The Minister informed the House that since January 2025:

• 140 kanals and 11 marlas of land have been retrieved
• 34 anti-encroachment drives have been carried out in Bahu and Jammu South

To prevent future encroachments, fencing and signboards are being installed on recovered land.

She also said that JDA teams, including Junior Engineers and Patwaris, regularly inspect areas and report any fresh attempts to occupy land illegally. The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Revenue Department, and local police assist when needed.

Action Against Officials

The Minister stated that strict action is taken against any JDA officer found involved in illegal activity. This includes warnings, suspension, red entries in service records, and stopping increments.

Political Reactions

Speaking outside the Assembly, Randhawa claimed the encroachment was part of a “sinister design” to change demography. He said he had no objection if people from Kashmir bought land legally in Jammu, but added that state land should not be grabbed.

His comments were criticised by several leaders.

MLA Sajad Lone condemned the remarks during a debate. PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also criticised Randhawa, saying land issues should not be seen through a religious or regional lens.

Later, Minister Sakeena Itoo raised a point of order in the House, stating that Randhawa had allegedly said Kashmiri Muslims would not be allowed to settle in Jammu. Randhawa denied this, saying he only opposed illegal land grabbing, not lawful settlement.

National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo said the statement had caused concern in Kashmir.Speaker A R Rather said the matter had been officially recorded in the proceedings of the House.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was adjourned till 2:30 pm on Monday after loud protests and heated arguments disrupted the House. The trouble began over remarks made by PDP MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para on the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).

Just minutes before the adjournment, BJP MLAs staged a collective walkout, accusing the Chair of bias and claiming they were not given enough time to speak during the discussion. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The issue started when Para took part in the general discussion on the J&K budget, which was presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on February 6. During his speech, Para described SASCI as “the most dangerous scheme” for Jammu and Kashmir.

He claimed that the scheme would push J&K into a debt trap, similar to countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Para said the loan under SASCI is being raised from the market and referred to it as an “Ambani-Adani loan”.

“You are putting the entire J&K on sale. You are mortgaging J&K and the future of our children,” Para said. He urged the Chief Minister to carefully study the scheme, calling it extremely harmful for the region.

His remarks angered National Conference (NC) members, who immediately stood up to counter him. This led to chaos in the House, with NC MLAs and ministers engaging in heated verbal exchanges with the PDP legislator.

Continuing his criticism, Para said that development projects like roads and bridges were not worth the risk. He alleged that SASCI was introduced without proper consultation and warned that it would ruin Jammu and Kashmir. He also requested all members to hold a detailed discussion on the scheme.

As the arguments continued, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary intervened and addressed the Chair. He remarked that when Para speaks in the Assembly, he behaves as if he is addressing a public rally in his constituency.

During the ongoing exchange between NC and PDP members, BJP legislators also stood up in protest, accusing the Chair of ignoring them. They announced a walkout, saying they were not being given a chance to speak. The BJP members walked out of the House at 1:14 pm, raising slogans against both the NC and PDP.

Mubarik Gul, who was presiding over the House, assured the BJP MLAs that they would be given time to speak. NC members responded to the slogans by making sharp remarks against both opposition parties.

Amid the disorder, independent MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh also entered the fray, raising his own issues. He attempted to enter the well of the House and made remarks that were objected to by NC members, leading to another confrontation.

A brief scuffle broke out between NC members and Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, but it was quickly stopped by the Watch and Ward staff.As repeated efforts to restore order failed, Mubarik Gul adjourned the House at 1:14 pm till 2:30 pm.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Monday expressing shock and anguish over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and resolved to fight resolutely to defeat the nefarious designs to disturb communal harmony and hinder progress.

The resolution, moved by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during a special session of the Assembly, was passed by voice vote. At the beginning of the session, House members observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the 26 people killed in the tragedy last week.

“The Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir reaffirms its unwavering commitment to foster an environment of peace, development, and inclusive prosperity for all its citizens, and to resolutely defeat the nefarious designs of those who seek to disturb the communal harmony and progress of the nation and of Jammu and Kashmir,” the resolution stated.

Concluding a discussion on the resolution, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and admitted that he failed in his responsibility of ensuring a safe return for tourists.

“The security in Jammu and Kashmir is not the responsibility of the elected government, but I will not use this opportunity (terror attack) to seek statehood. How can I push for statehood using the Pahalgam terror attack?”

Underlining the impact of the ghastly attack on the entire country, he said, “From north to south and from east to west… from Arunachal to Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala… the entire country has been affected by this attack.”

Abdullah said the Baisaran attack took place after a gap of 21 years. “We thought such attacks were a story of the past. Unfortunately, this (Pahalgam) attack has recreated a situation we hoped had been left behind. We never know when another such attack might take place. I do not have the words to seek forgiveness from the families who lost their dear ones,” he said.

The chief minister, however, noted that even in the face of this inhuman and dastardly attack, a new ray of hope has emerged from Kashmir.

“For the first time in many years, I witnessed protests that were truly unified. No political party or leader orchestrated them, and no organised banners or candlelight marches were planned. The outrage and grief were spontaneous, coming straight from the hearts of the people. Every mosque observed silence” he said.

Abdullah emphasised that this change must be encouraged and strengthened. “We must boost and nurture this spirit of unity, compassion, and resilience that has emerged from among the people themselves,” he added.

Addressing the Assembly earlier while moving the resolution, Deputy CM Choudhary said, “This House expresses its profound shock and anguish at the barbaric and inhumane attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.”

He reiterated the House’s unequivocal condemnation of the heinous and cowardly act that resulted in the loss of innocent lives.

Quoting the resolution, Choudhary said, “Such acts of terror are a direct assault on the ethos of Kashmiriyat, the values enshrined in our Constitution, and the spirit of unity, peace, and harmony that have long characterized Jammu and Kashmir and our nation.

This House stands in full solidarity with the victims and their families, the document stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to those who have suffered irreparable loss and affirm our collective resolve to share in their grief and support them in their hour of need.”

It mentioned the supreme sacrifice of pony ride operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah who laid down his life while trying to save the tourists from the terrorist attack. “His courage and selflessness embody the true spirit of Kashmir and shall serve as an enduring inspiration for future generations.”

“This House commends the people of Kashmir and Jammu for their extraordinary display of unity, compassion, and resilience in the aftermath of the attack.

“The peaceful demonstrations across towns and villages, and the spontaneous outpouring of moral and material support towards tourists, reaffirm people’s steadfast commitment to peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law,” the resolution stated.

It also mentioned the Assembly’s endorsement of diplomatic measures announced by the Centre following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security a day after the tragedy.

“This House is mindful of the sinister design behind the selective targeting of the victims of this attack. It appeals to all sections of society, and in particular the media, to not fall victim to this sinister plot by irresponsibly inflaming passions. The need to remain united in the face of this attempted division cannot be overemphasised.”

It appealed to all states and Union territories to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of Kashmiri students and citizens residing or travelling there, and to take all necessary measures to prevent their harassment, discrimination or intimidation.

“This House calls upon all political parties, religious and community leaders, youth organizations, civil society groups, and media houses across the nation to maintain calm, reject violence and divisive rhetoric, and work collectively to uphold peace, unity, and constitutional values,” the resolution stated.

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