Director Land Management Garbi Rashid Warns Encroachers: Paloura Next Target, Action Against Land Mafia and Officials involved Imminent
jj correspondent
Jammu, April 17, 2025: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) today signalled a significant escalation in its efforts to reclaim government land, executing a large-scale anti-encroachment operation. In this decisive action, the authority successfully liberated approximately 25 Kanals of state land, falling under Khasra No. 683, from illegal occupation. Concurrently, an illegally erected building within the Rajinder Nagar locality, constructed on JDA territory, was promptly sealed by the enforcement team. Following the retrieval, JDA signboards were installed on the freed land, and the entire perimeter was securely fenced.
The entire operation was carried out under the direct supervision of the Vice Chairman, JDA. Ensuring procedural compliance and maintaining order on the ground were several key officials, including the Director Land Management (DLM), Garbi Rashid; First Class Magistrate (acting as Naib Tehsildar), Mohd. Saleem; and the local Patwari and Girdawar, Sunil Kumar, alongside a contingent of local police.
Speaking on location, DLM Garbi Rashid delivered an uncompromising warning to encroachers. “Those who have encroached upon JDA land and believe they can establish permanent possession through illegal construction are under the gravest misconception,” Rashid stated firmly. He made it unequivocally clear that any individual occupying JDA land illegally would face eviction. “Either the illegal structure built on the site will be dismantled, or the entire building will be seized by the JDA,” Rashid elaborated.
The DLM further revealed that the authority has received numerous complaints regarding extensive encroachments on JDA lands specifically in the Paloura area. “Following today’s action, our next target is the Paloura region. We will reclaim all our encroached lands there,” he declared. He specifically mentioned intentions to address the situation concerning Khasra No. 985 in Paloura, measuring 43 Kanals and 8 Marlas. Rashid noted that within this plot, an 8 Kanal land mutation (intakaal) previously processed, allegedly involving a ‘Rama Builder’ who had encroached upon it, had been cancelled by former official Avny Lavasa. The JDA affirmed its plan to “rectify” the status of the entire 43 Kanal 8 Marla parcel soon, stating that any existing constructions would be dismantled or seized, and stringent action would be pursued against those involved.
Garbi Rashid emphasized that the drive would not merely stop at removing encroachments. “Strict action under the law will be ensured against all individuals, whether they are JDA/Revenue officials or land grabbers, found complicit in the illegal sale or occupation of this land. No one involved will be spared,” he asserted.
He also said that any encroachment on JDA land at Paloura will be retrieved in a phased manner and nobody whosoever he may be will be spared.
Reiterating the JDA’s unwavering stance, Rashid concluded, “The Jammu Development Authority will not permit any land mafia or encroacher to occupy even an inch of its land.” This operation serves as a clear demonstration of JDA’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal occupation and its commitment to safeguarding public assets.
