SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has alleged that a large-scale demolition drive in Jammu’s Sidra area has led to the displacement of members of the Gujjar-Bakerwal tribal community, leaving several families homeless.
Very disturbing news of large scale demolition and displacement of the tribal Gujjar Bakerwal community in Jammu’s Sidra area by the authorities, rendering them homeless! Selective targeting of communities under the garb of law enforcement -reportedly filing FIR against…
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) May 20, 2026
In a post shared on X, the Mirwaiz described the developments as “very disturbing”, stating that structures belonging to tribal and nomadic families were demolished during what he termed enforcement action by authorities. He said the operation had resulted in widespread displacement and raised concerns over humanitarian considerations for vulnerable communities.
In the same post, he further alleged that certain communities were being selectively targeted under the guise of law enforcement. He referred to reports circulating in public discourse about FIRs allegedly registered against mourners at the funeral of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Islamic scholar Sheikh Ghulam Hassan in Kulgam. These claims have not been independently verified.
He also said that actions against nomadic and tribal populations in Jammu, without adequate humanitarian safeguards, amounted to what he described as the “weaponisation of law”, and warned that such measures could deepen mistrust and worsen the atmosphere in the region.
According to official accounts of similar operations in the region, anti-encroachment drives are conducted by the Forest Department, Revenue Department and police to remove alleged illegal structures from state or forest land.
The move comes amid widespread criticism and protests following the anti-encroachment drive carried out by officials of the Forest Department, Revenue Department and Police, during which several structures were demolished.
