Religion

Demolition of illegal constructions falsely linked to Rohingya and Bangladeshi in J&K

Written by Md Mahfooz Alam

A video is being widely shared by several social media users with the claim that encroachments done by the Rohingya and Bangladeshi in Jammu and Kashmir are being demolished. In the video, few temporary structures can be seen demolished using a JCB machine and big hammers.

The caption along the video reads, “In Jammu and Kashmir, the colonies which Rohingy@s and B@ngala Deshis had encroached are under bulldozer now!!!” (Archived)

The video is viral on Facebook too with the caption, “जम्मू कश्मीर में रोहिंग्या जेहादियों की रोशनी एक्ट के तहत बसाई गई बस्ती उखाड़ी जा रही है.” [Translation: The settlement established under the Roshni Act for the Rohingya Jihadi’s in Jammu and Kashmir are being demolished.]

(Photo Source: Facebook/Screenshot)

FactO Check:

The video carries the logo of Jammu Links News. We searched the Jammu Link News channel on Youtube and found the same video uploaded by the channel on June 5, 2021, with the title, “LAWDA demolishes several illegal constructions, encroachments”.

According to the description given by the channel along with the video on Youtube, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has been carrying out a demolition drive for a week in which several illegal constructions/encroachments were demolished under the supervision of the Enforcement Officer. The drive was conducted in the area of Lashkari Mohalla, Doji Mohalla, Burzhama, Wangut Teilbal & Nishat.

We also found an Urdu article published on the website of ETV Urdu. The article carries the viral video and also confirms that a demolition drive was carried by Lakes and Waterways Development Authority to remove the unauthorized structures constructed within the Green belt areas during the lockdown period of COVID-19.

The Quint spoke to Lakes and Waterways Development Authority Enforcement Officer (Dy SP) Abdul Aziz Qadri, who told them that the claim is “far from the truth”. He added, ” “These are regular drives that we undertake to remove illegal construction and encroachment from the area. We are working towards the conservation of Dal Lake and other green belt areas because of which we remove/demolish illegal structures in the area where construction is not allowed.”

Conclusion: 

The demolition drive is not being carried on the encroachments done by the  Rohingya and Bangladeshi in Jammu and Kashmir. It was regular drive done by the officials to remove and demolish illegal constructions around Dal Lake and other green belt areas.

Donate to FactO!
If you love what we do @ FactO, you can pour some love and made us feel stronger. We are independently committed to your excellence with full accountability and transparency. You can click on the button below and make a payment of your own choice.

Pay Now

By Clicking on PAY, you agree to our Privacy Policy.

About the author

Md Mahfooz Alam

Mahfooz is a multimedia journalist and regularly writes fact-check stories for Facto News. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. He has worked as an intern fact-checker for The Quint. He specializes in research and fact-checking and aspires to do investigative reporting.

Leave a Comment