Delegation moves NHRC against demolitions in Jammu; rights’ body assures investigation

A delegation under the leadership of Adv Sunil Kumar Bainsla on Tuesday comprising advocates and social activists from Delhi met Vijaya Bharati, Member of the National Human Rights Commission, and submitted a detailed complaint regarding the alleged forcible demolition of houses belonging to the nomadic Gujjar-Bakkarwal community at Sidra, Jammu, in Jammu and Kashmir.

The delegation demanded that an NHRC fact-finding team immediately visit the affected area at village the Bandi (Sidhara )area of Jammu Khas Tehsil and conduct an on-the-spot inquiry into the alleged human rights violations arising out of the demolition drive carried out on 20 May 2026.

The delegation was led by Supreme Court Advocate Sunil Kumar Bainsla and included Advocate Virender Kassana, Advocate Sajid Choudhary, Advocate Kabaj Ram, Advocate AV Shukla, Advocate Kundan Singh, Advocate Rajesh Tanak, Advocate Mahesh Bhati, Advocate Nishkersh Gupta, Advocate Sunder Singh, Advocate Ruby, and Rajesh Kumar Garg, said a press release.

The complainants alleged that the Jammu & Kashmir administration, accompanied by police personal and forest officials , demolished the houses of poor Gujjar-Bakkarwal families who had been residing in the area for generations along with their elderly parents, women, children, and infants. Photographs of the demolished houses were also submitted to the Commission along with the complaint.

The delegation alleged that the authorities acted in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner without following the principles of natural justice. They further stated that the affected families were not even given sufficient time to remove their household belongings and essential items before bulldozers razed their homes.

Referring to the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, the complaint stated that The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 has been applicable to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh since 26 October 2020. Therefore, Gujjar-Bakkarwal families residing on forest land are entitled to legal protection and recognition of their traditional rights.

The memorandum further stated that the erstwhile rulers of Jammu & Kashmir had historically permitted the ancestors of the Gujjar-Bakkarwal community to reside and use the land at village Sidhara (Bandi) for grazing and livelihood purposes. Hence, the families cannot be treated as unauthorized occupants or displaced in such an inhuman manner.

The delegation also highlighted the patriotic contribution and sacrifices of the Gujjar community in safeguarding the borders and national integrity of India, particularly the Gujjar-Bakkarwal community of Jammu & Kashmir, which has rendered immense service to the nation over the decades.

The complainants demanded immediate directions from the NHRC to the authorities in Jammu & Kashmir to provide urgent relief and rehabilitation measures, including tents, drinking water, food, and other essential assistance to the displaced families. They also sought strict action against the officials allegedly responsible for the demolition.

During the meeting, NHRC Member Vijaya Bharati assured the delegation that a human rights inquiry team would be sent to the affected area for investigation into the matter.