Dozen of muslim homes demolished in Kashmir eviction drive

A wave of controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after local authorities reportedly demolished dozens of homes belonging to Muslim families in what officials described as an anti-encroachment operation.

According to reports from Indian media outlets, between 20 and 30 houses were razed in a large-scale demolition drive covering nearly 60 kanals of land, which the administration claimed falls under protected forest territory.

The operation, carried out using bulldozers under heavy security presence, left entire residential clusters reduced to rubble, sparking outrage among affected families and political voices in the region.

Local officials defended the action, stating that the structures were built illegally on forest land and therefore subject to removal under existing land protection laws. However, the decision has triggered sharp criticism from regional leaders and civil society groups.

Javed Rana described the demolitions as part of what he called a “systematic and cruel eviction campaign,” alleging that the goal was to intimidate Muslim residents and deprive them of long-held ancestral property.

He claimed that many of the affected families had been living on the land for decades, with generations of history tied to the demolished homes.

The controversy has further intensified political tensions in the region, where land disputes and security operations have long been a sensitive issue. Critics argue that the latest demolitions reflect a broader pattern of pressure on local communities, while authorities insist the action was strictly legal and aimed at reclaiming public land.

Human rights observers have also raised concerns, calling for transparency and due process in such large-scale eviction drives, especially when long-term residents are involved.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as bulldozers flattened homes, forcing families to salvage belongings from debris while security forces maintained a strict perimeter around the area.

The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media, with images of destroyed homes drawing strong emotional reactions and renewed calls for independent investigation.

As the situation develops, the demolition drive has once again placed the spotlight on land rights, governance, and the ongoing tensions in the disputed region, where such actions often carry deep political and humanitarian consequences.