Publically challenging authority of police and civic body during anti-encroachment drive in the city’s most chaotic market-Purani Mandi with provocative posture by BJP Jammu East MLA- Mr. Yudhvir Sethi has bolstered habitual encroachers and those alien to rule of law, especially when the old city is grappling with growing size of fearless criminals. Equally, alarming is the way drive aimed to decongest roads for safety of pedestrians was stalled and teams from Jammu Municipal Corporation as well as police have been held hostage for hours. If this model of unwarranted outrage against civil administration is replicated in other parts of J&K UT, then it would become a formidable headache for government to remove encroachment from roads and footpaths, which is undoubtedly multiplying everywhere at an alarming speed, thereby compromising the safety of motorists and pedestrians, especially aged and children.
The problem of occupying roads and footpaths has become a pandemic which does not pop up in a jiffy. In past, it allowed to prosperous with patronage, and today it has acquired a demonic shape. Further, it gets uglier due to sprawling Rehris-Pharis –courtesy corruption and systemic failure. The current scenario of encroachment of footpaths and roads in old city is deplorable and the track record of cooperation by traders as well as some political leaders to end this menace is dismal till date. Despite being educated, they are unwilling to accept the law pertaining to governance of roads and footpaths. Pathetically, chaos created by defiant encroachers in Purani Mandi, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazar, Rajinder Bazar and, least but not last, at the entrance to Rani Park, amply indicts the level of cooperation delivered by our traders and political leaders in tackling problem of encroachment.
Post abrogation of 370, the authorities in JMC as well as SMC along with assistance from Police and district administration has successfully removed encroachments from roads and footpaths. Realizing the gigantic nature of menace, the anti encroachment has been made a regular exercise in twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu for uplifting the urban landscape. Recent acts of thwarting anti-encroachment drive is generally seen as an act of political appeasement, but the elected representatives must understand that such drives are often backed by court orders and regulations, like the Municipal Corporation Act for maintaining urban land regulations. Resistance to these drives signifies a disregard for legal frameworks and can lead to a state of lawlessness. For politicians, showcasing play of obstructing anti-encroachment drive is a compulsion to appease specific vote banks, but prioritizing short-term political gains over the long-term well-being of the city and its citizens is all set to push a civilized society upside down.