10 demolitions in 10 days: J-K minister raises objection against police for ‘bulldozing’ houses over ‘drug peddling’ charges

In a recent development, 2026 07:58 PM IST Over the last 10 days, police teams and revenue officials have demolished at least 10 houses and residential properties, mostly in south Kashmir., 4 min readSrinagarMay 9 the Jammu and Kashmir Police demolished at least 10 residential and commercial properties linked to alleged drug peddlers, saying the action was meant to “send a clear and unequivocal message” that those “involved in narcotics trade will face strict and visible consequences”., (File Photo)Over the last 10 days In a recent development, However, J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo has accused the police department, which comes under Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, of using the anti-drugs campaign as an excuse to “target the people”.The ongoing 100-day “Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir (Drug-free Jammu and Kashmir)” campaign initiated by the Lt Governor has seen several arrests and the demolition of houses and commercial complexes linked to alleged drug peddlers. New information indicates that, police teams and revenue officials have demolished at least 10 houses and residential properties, mostly in south Kashmir., Over the last 10 days police stated these were built illegally, either on government land or without proper permission, in other cases, they stated the structures were demolished as they were “acquired and developed using proceeds generated from narcotics trafficking”., While in some cases police had stated, “During verification, it surfaced that the shopping complex had been illegally constructed on state land.” The property belonged to a “notorious drug peddler”, police stated, against whom a case is registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act., After demolishing a commercial complex comprising 15 shops at Bijbehara in south Kashmir the illegal structure was demolished as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the financial infrastructure of the drug syndicate…,” they stated., “Acting upon due legal process and in coordination with the concerned authorities According to recent reports, police stated the house of an alleged drug peddler was demolished in Srinagar because it was “raised illegally on land acquired and developed using proceeds generated from narcotics trafficking”., In another case unequivocal message (that) properties from proceeds of drug trafficking will not be spared and those involved in the narcotics trade will face strict and visible action”.Story continues below this ad J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday criticised the police action. and Police further stated the “action sends a clear “Don’t target the people making it (drug trafficking) an excuse,” Itoo stated while talking to reporters. where does he get these drugs from?, “If you arrest someone The Home department should check that drugs don’t come here.” Itoo warned that “bulldozing the houses, demolishing the property” will have negative consequences and called for its immediate stop. ” she stated, adding, “If you recover drugs or something else from someone, you demolish a property that is not even in his name, that is a property of his parents…” She asked how drugs enter Jammu and Kashmir when the borders are manned by security forces., “This is absolutely wrong “You lay your hands on the people who bring it into Kashmir,” she stated.Story continues below this ad Itoo also alleged that while demolitions and seizure of immovable assets are taking place in the Kashmir Valley, the Jammu division is spared. “I want to ask you one question. Jammu or Kashmir?, Where is drug addiction more I will give you the figures that it is more in Jammu,” she stated., As a Health minister you have to control it in Jammu as well., “If you want to control addiction you use it as an excuse to seize the properties, to demolish and bulldoze the houses., But in Kashmir ” she added., It is discrimination While there were at least 10 drug-related demolitions in the Valley in the last 10 days, there were at least four demolitions in Jammu last month. Of these, three were carried out in Rajiv Nagar on April 12 and one in Beli-Charana on the outskirts of Jammu on April 18. Curated For You Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development., Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). New information indicates that, This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd