JMC demolishes around 20 shops at Satwari Chowk

JAMMU — The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Thursday demolished around 20 shops at Satwari Chowk, triggering anger among affected shopkeepers who alleged that the decades-old commercial establishments were removed without prior information or notification.

According to the shopkeepers, the establishments had been operating at the location for around 50 years, with occupants claiming they had regularly paid monthly rent to the municipal authorities.

The affected traders alleged that the demolition was carried out without adequate notice or information, leaving them with little opportunity to remove their belongings or make alternative arrangements.

The action comes against the backdrop of the long-pending issue of rehabilitation of shopkeepers affected by development works in the Satwari area.

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The UT Cabinet had earlier approved a rehabilitation and resettlement scheme for shopkeepers and open-space kiosks affected by road widening at Nai Basti and Satwari Chowk.

A JMC official, however, said the affected shopkeepers would be relocated to another site within six months.

The assurance has failed to convince the affected traders, who termed the claim a “white lie”, saying they had received assurances of rehabilitation in the past but continued to face uncertainty over their livelihoods.

The issue of rehabilitation of Satwari shopkeepers has been raised repeatedly by traders’ bodies. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has previously stated that affected shopkeepers had been paying rent to the municipal authorities and had sought alternative sites and rehabilitation.