Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Ahmed Rana boycotted a function of the forest department which comes under him as a mark of protest against recent demolition of houses of nomadic communities — Gujjars and Bakarwals — in Jammu on May 19, 2026.
Meanwhile, electricity and water supply cut by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) were “restored to the affected families” after the Minister’s intervention.
Top government sources said Mr. Rana, the Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest & Tribal Affairs, was invited to chair the ‘International Day for Biological Diversity’ as chief guest at Srinagar’s Dachigam on Friday (May 22, 2026). However, the Minister decided against presiding the function.
The event was attended by top officials from the Forest department, including Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary Forests, Ecology and Environment; Sarvesh Rai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force J&K and Chairman J&K Biodiversity Council; and Chaturbhuj Bahera PCCF & Director Social Forestry. The event focused on reinforcing the global call to ‘Act Locally, Impact Globally’.
Officials said Ms. Nanda chaired the event as the chief guest instead.
Forest Minister’s decision to boycott the event reflected a growing rift between the elected government and officials who report to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directly in J&K.
It came to the fore days after 32 structures of Gujjars and Bakarwals were demolished by a joint team of Forest department and the J&K Police in Jammu’s at Raika Bandi, Sidra on May 19. Over two dozen families were dislodged from the area, weeks after a BJP legislator protested against these nomadic communities’ stay in the area.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rana also constituted a committee “to ascertain the factual position regarding demolition and eviction drive at Raika Bandi, Sidhra”. It comprised of Rajinder Singh Tara, Secretary in the Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment; Satyendra Maurya, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Udhampur and Dr. Rajesh Kumar Atri, Assistant Revenue, Jammu.
The committee has been directed to examine the report submitted by Mr. Rai, PCCF (HoFF), J&K, on the matter, “in accordance with the factual position on ground and the legal provisions under the relevant laws”.
“The committee shall ascertain factual position at Raika Bandi, Sidhra after providing an opportunity of being heard to all concerned. It shall submit its report within a period of seven working days from the date of issuance of this order,” the order read.
Earlier, the Tribal Affairs Department also constituted a separate fact-finding committee headed by senior KAS officer Mumtaz Ali to investigate alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and safeguards provided to Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution.
On the JDA’s move to cut off electricity and water supply to the nomadic community, Mr. Rana said, “Ration is being provided regularly. Electricity and water supply were restored on day one.”
The demolitions evoked sharp reaction from the regional parties in J&K, with the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanding resignation of J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the matter. The Opposition party alleged that the BJP was emerging more powerful than the elected government and questioned the will of the Omar Abdullah government to stop these demolitions, where no notices were issued.
Published - May 23, 2026 02:02 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
