Pic is representational
Srinagar, Dec 26: National Conference legislator from Lal Chowk Assembly segment, Ahsan Pardesi, staged a protest on Thursday to halt a demolition drive initiated by the Badami Bagh Cantonment Board in Zabarwan Colony, Sonawar area of Srinagar.
The legislator sat in front of a JCB machine, vehemently opposing the Board’s attempt to raze a structure that, he claimed, belongs to a local family that has resided in the area for over eight decades.
Speaking to reporters at the site, Pardesi expressed frustration over the Board’s actions despite prior intervention. “I had already informed the district administration about this situation when I learned about the proposed demolition drive. It is unfortunate that the Cantonment Board still proceeded with the operation,” he said.
Pardesi told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the matter is sub judice and called for adherence to the court’s directive to maintain the status quo. “The authorities must respect the legal process. Demolishing this house would be unjust and disregard the ongoing judicial proceedings,” he added.
Earlier in the day, a team from the Badami Bagh Cantonment Board arrived at Zabarwan Colony, equipped with machinery, to demolish what they alleged to be an illegally constructed residential structure. However, the move was met with resistance from the locals and the legislator, resulting in the drive being temporarily stalled.
The Cantonment Board has been firm in its stance against unauthorized constructions within its jurisdiction, citing regulatory compliance as the primary motive behind such actions. However, residents argue that the structure in question has existed for generations and should not be deemed illegal. [KNT]
