BJP MLAs Join Protests at Nai Basti, Demand Rehabilitation of Shopkeepers Before Any Eviction or Demolition
JAMMU, May 27: In a show of solidarity with small traders and shopkeepers facing displacement, nine BJP Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) joined a protest at Nai Basti market, vehemently opposing the recent eviction notices issued by the administration under the Express Highway extension project. The MLAs strongly demanded that the Government halt all eviction proceedings immediately and ensure proper rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers before taking any coercive action.
The shopkeepers, who are now under fresh threat of eviction, expressed anguish and frustration, stating that they had earlier been promised relocation to commercial plots at Chanderbhaga. However, despite repeated assurances, no concrete steps were taken, and now they are being asked to vacate their shops without any alternative arrangements in place. The traders claimed that this move by the administration amounts to betrayal and is a clear breach of trust.
The protest witnessed the participation of senior BJP leaders, including Dr. Narinder Singh, Sham Lal Sharma, Yudhvir Sethi, Arvind Gupta, Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat, Choudhary Vikram Randhawa, Mohan Lal, Dr. Rajeev Bhagat, and Surinder Bhagat. Several senior party functionaries and the affected traders also joined the protest, raising slogans against the perceived injustice and demanding immediate redressal.
Speaking at the protest site, BJP leader Dr. Narinder Singh lambasted the administration for issuing eviction notices without any prior consultation or warning. He termed the move as a “serious blow” to small traders who have been conducting their businesses in the area for decades. “This is not just unfair, but a gross violation of previous commitments made to these shopkeepers. The promise of relocation must be honoured before initiating any demolition or eviction,” he asserted.
Dr. Singh further revealed that the BJP had consistently raised this issue in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and had participated in multiple official meetings, including those chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, where assurances of relocation were reiterated by the authorities. “All BJP MLAs stand firmly with the traders of Nai Basti. The eviction notices must be revoked, and suitable commercial plots at Chanderbhaga must be allotted first,” he said.
Former Minister and senior BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma echoed similar sentiments, stating that while development and infrastructure expansion are necessary, they must not come at the cost of people’s livelihoods. “It is imperative that the administration respects its own commitments and rehabilitates the affected families before displacing them. Development should never override the rights and dignity of individuals,” Sharma said.
BJP’s Jammu District President Yudhvir Sethi criticized the NC-led Government for mishandling the issue and called upon them to uphold basic principles of justice and transparency. “The administration must act with empathy and responsibility. People deserve to be treated with dignity, and no action should be taken without first securing alternative arrangements for these shopkeepers,” he stated.
The protesting BJP leaders collectively vowed to continue their support for the shopkeepers and to press for a fair resolution to the issue. They emphasized that they would not allow the displacement of traders without rehabilitation and warned the administration against taking any unilateral steps.
The protest at Nai Basti highlighted the growing concern over infrastructure projects being implemented without adequate planning for those displaced. The BJP leaders called upon the government to act in a humane and lawful manner, ensuring that development goes hand-in-hand with justice and proper rehabilitation.
