LCMA Action Termed Lawful, No Inquiry or Compensation After Srinagar Resident’s Death | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A family has alleged that repeated demolitions of their house on Handam Mohalla Habbak Foreshore road culminated in the death of its owner, Late Shakeel Ahmad Dar, following what they describe as sustained harassment by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority, while the government says the demolitions were lawful and that it has no official record of distress or a cardiac arrest in the matter.

The claims and denials emerged in response to a starred question tabled by MLA Salman Sagar. He asked whether the structure had been repeatedly demolished by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority and whether those actions had caused “immense mental stress, trauma and distress” to the family. The administration acknowledged the demolitions but said the building had been raised without prior approval on land under LCMA jurisdiction and that enforcement action was taken after the owner failed to stop construction or apply for permission through the Online Building Permission System as directed.

The government’s reply set out the sequence leading to the removals. LCMA enforcement teams reportedly instructed the owner to halt work and to seek building permission under the Jammu and Kashmir Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, through the designated portal. The department said the owner did not comply, and that demolitions were carried out in accordance with prescribed legal procedures and established norms. The reply added that the LCMA Enforcement Wing is mandated to implement statutory directions and orders of the High Court in relation to unauthorised construction.

Earlier, several videos went viral on social media claiming that the repeated demolition drives caused severe distress and trauma and that the deceased suffered a cardiac arrest after LCMA actions. The administration responded that it has no official information of any cardiac arrest linked to the demolitions and that no inquiry has been ordered; it also said no compensation has been proposed.