Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday sharply criticised the Jammu development authority and directed its officers to explain who ordered the demolition of the home of Journalist Arfaz Daing.
He warned the officers of the development authority and the others who ordered the demolition would face strict action under the relevant sections of law.
“They will not be spared and will have to face punishment for doing what they did,” he said.
He made these comments after Journalist Arfaz publicly revealed that the officials of the JDA had flouted the guidelines laid down by the Honourable Supreme Court of India.
He alleged that the “officials had not served any prior notice before carrying out the demolition of his property.”
Visiting the demolished site, Surinder Choudhary added that the administration “has to and needs to follow the constitution of India. We respect the work of journalists.”
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah on Friday had said that his government had not approved the demolition, so JDA officials must come with answers: who and why did they carry out the actions?
“Any coercive attempt to silence the voices of journalists weakens the state and its institutions. He warned that the attempts by any official will not be tolerated and are bound to invite a serious response from the government,” he added.
Choudhary said the demolition of the home had caused serious hardships to the family. He said those responsible often fail to realise the impact of such actions.
A full inquiry has been initiated against the officials of the JDA, and anyone found to have issued or executed unlawful orders will face action, he said.
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