The Prime Minister’s dream project of Jammu Smart City is facing onslaught at the hands of wilful encroachers. This burgeoning problem has become more complicated owing to the blessings of a few law makers as well a brigade of Toofani Patarkars who instead of projecting this menace in right perspective have become misplaced sympathisers of law breakers. In a civilized society law maker is not supposed to support willful encroachers and act as a dabang.
It was disheartening to see that an elected representative of a premier political party was recently seen threatening the employees of Jammu Municipal Corporation for stalling anti encroachment drive in Purani Mandi area and even goes to the extent of verbally challenging the Commissioner JMC. This is not for the first time that such an undesirable situation has cropped up by the said political leader who has special predilection for the encroachers in Purani Mandi area.
This nuisance has grown beyond all proportions and has left the roads and footpaths inaccessible for pedestrians and motorists. There are reports that majority of these encroachers are hailing from neighbouring states who are operating on behalf of well organised Rehri/Pharies mafia who are charging Rs 300 on daily basis and Rs 500 on Sunday. This well knit mafia have virtually spread its tentacles in almost all the prime locations of Jammu city with a sole intention to turn Smart City Project into a flop show with their ugly designs.
In another related development, a brigade of Toofani Patarkars was seen bullying and harassing a law abiding citizen of posh Green Belt Park area, Gandhi Nagar for complaining against growing menace of Rehri owners who encroached upon the public space and turned an otherwise peaceful residential zone into a mess. More disgraceful was the action of some mike armed media persons who instead of encouraging the complainant for taking cudgels against entrenched Rehri mafia were openly inciting the law breakers.This is not a lone incident where this brigade of untrained and under qualified so called media men have acted irresponsibly without least adherence to the ethics of journalism. This is a threatening situation for any civilized society. Even, the silence of SHOs on encroachment of footpaths and roads in their respective jurisdiction by kiosks and rehris owners also point finger at their style of functioning. There is something much more than meets the eye.
There is no denying the fact that encroachment is a pandemic for Jammu City which is being facelifted under prestigious Smart City Project. However, this multi crore exercise would loose its sheen if the ever enlarging network of Rehri mafia is not busted with iron hands. It is the duty of media persons, civil society and elected representatives as well as law enforcement agencies to join hands against encroachment instead of emboldening violators with their irresponsible conduct. Roads are meant for pedestrians and smooth movement of vehicles and not for operation immovable commercial kiosks, rehris and Pharies. If elected representatives, cops and media persons will keep supporting the wrong doers soon this menace of encroachment upon roads would become a nightmare for citizens.
Least but not last, the government also need to act responsibly and emulate viable plan for identification and development of Rehri zones for providing place where a genuine Rehri owners can work with dignity to earn his livelihood. How much time Government in J&K UT need to enforce Vendor Act, 2015 in letter and spirit.