Land grabbers have no religion, must face action: Sunil Sharma

Jammu, May 22: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma on Friday said land grabbers have “no religion” and accused certain political leaders of attempting to shield illegal encroachments while diverting attention from governance issues.
Sunil Sharma said that those involved in illegal land activities should not be linked to any community, adding that action against encroachment was being resisted by some vested interests.
“Land grabbers have no religion. Those who do illegal work should be treated as non-religious. Some leaders who have been in power for a long time are worried because this action will reach their homes,” Sharma said.
He alleged that large tracts of forest and government land had been encroached upon in Jammu and Kashmir over the years and claimed that “big buildings” belonging to former chief ministers and ministers had come up on such land.
Referring to Bathindi, BJP senior leader alleged that several constructions linked to prominent political figures were on forest or state land, and said details were available in public domain. He said action against such encroachments was being resisted as it was affecting influential people.
Sunil Sharma also alleged that some political parties were attempting to communalise the issue of land encroachment, which he said was a governance matter and not linked to any community.
Targeting opposition parties, he accused them of changing political positions frequently and questioned their consistency on key issues.
He also criticised the previous and present administrations in Jammu and Kashmir over basic public services, alleging that residents were facing difficulties in supply of electricity, drinking water, roads and healthcare facilities.
BJP senior leader said governance had been reduced to “diversionary politics” instead of addressing core public grievances.
He said the chief minister Omar Abdullah had been “missing from ground realities” and accused him of prioritising foreign visits over local issues.
He further alleged that poll promises related to electricity subsidies and LPG cylinders had not been fulfilled, adding that people were still waiting for relief on essential services.
Sharma said the Bharatiya Janata Party remained focused on public issues and claimed that it was the only political force consistently raising concerns related to development, governance and accountability in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)