Srinagar, Nov 05, KDC: A sweeping show cause notice issued by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has triggered panic and anxiety among landowners in the Sidhra belt of Jammu, particularly families from Kashmir who purchased plots there to provide shelter to their elderly and ailing relatives during the harsh winter months.
The affected families, many of whom have invested their lifetime savings in purchasing land in the area, are now facing uncertainty following the JDA’s directive seeking the appearance of occupants of several plots and structures for eviction proceedings.
According to the official public notice, the JDA Estate Officer (Tehsildar Zone A/B) issued the notice on November 2, 2026, invoking Section 4, Subsections (1) and (2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1988.
The notice specifically identifies Khasra Nos. 119, 214 and 215 in Village Majeen, along with Khasra Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 99 in Village Rangoora, Niabat Sidhra, Tehsil Jammu Khas.
The JDA has claimed that the land falling under these Khasra numbers stands transferred to the authority. According to the notice, a report obtained from field staff revealed that several structures, including dwelling units, houses, compound walls, cowsheds and shops, had allegedly been constructed illegally on JDA land.
The notice further states that field staff made efforts to ascertain the particulars of the occupants but failed to collect complete information, following which a general notice was issued to all concerned.
The occupants have been directed to appear personally or through an authorised representative before the Estate Officer on November 6, 2026, at 11:30 AM, along with relevant documents and evidence in support of their claims. The notice warns that failure to appear would result in the matter being decided ex parte.
The development has caused considerable distress among affected families, predominantly from Kashmir, who claim to have purchased land in the area through lawful transactions over the past several years.
With winter already setting in and some families preparing to shift their elderly and ailing relatives to Jammu, the sudden notice has created uncertainty over the future of their properties and accommodation arrangements.
“We are not land grabbers. We are legitimate buyers from Kashmir who purchased land with our hard earned savings,” said an elderly resident of Anantnag, whose family owns a small plot in Majeen. He requested anonymity, citing fear of possible repercussions.
“My wife suffers from severe respiratory problems and cannot withstand the harsh winter in the Valley. We purchased this land legally to provide her a comfortable place during winter. Now, without any prior warning, we are being described as unauthorised occupants and given only a few days to establish our claims,” he said.
Another Kashmiri landowner expressed concern over the short notice period, saying most affected families were currently in Kashmir and had received information about the general notice through WhatsApp.
“How are we supposed to collect all our revenue records, travel hundreds of kilometres and appear before the authorities within such a short period? The notice has caused immense mental stress among families who have invested their savings in these properties,” he said.
The anxiety among residents has also been heightened by the JDA’s anti encroachment drives earlier this year. In May and June 2026, several structures were demolished in Majeen and Sidhra as part of operations to retrieve land claimed by the authority.
Against this backdrop, landowners fear that the latest notice could eventually lead to demolition or eviction proceedings, even as they maintain that they possess valid ownership documents.
The affected families have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene immediately and direct the JDA to review the blanket notice, suspend ex parte proceedings and establish a fair and transparent mechanism to verify ownership claims.
“We appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure that no genuine property owner is subjected to unnecessary harassment. If there is any dispute between the Revenue Department and the JDA regarding historical land transfers, bona fide purchasers should not be made to suffer,” said another Kashmiri landowner, representing a group of affected buyers.
Civil society members and affected residents have also called for the introduction of an online verification mechanism through which property owners can submit their sale deeds, mutations and other revenue documents without having to travel to Jammu at short notice.
They said such a facility would make the process more accessible, transparent and convenient, particularly for families residing in Kashmir.
The landowners have urged the administration to ensure proper verification of individual ownership documents before initiating coercive action, arguing that genuine purchasers should be given adequate time and an opportunity to present their cases.
With the November 6 hearing deadline approaching, affected families are looking towards the Chief Minister’s Office for intervention, hoping that the administration will address their concerns and prevent genuine property owners from facing undue hardship. (KDC)