The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) demolished about ten shops that were built by Kashmiri Pandit migrants on land where they were settled by the J&K government about 30 years ago. The shop owners said they were not given any notice before the demolition, but the JDA denied this claim.

The JDA's action led to protests from various groups, including political parties like BJP, PDP, and Apni Party, as well as several Kashmiri Pandit organisations. They condemned the demolition and demanded that new shops be built for the affected members of the displaced community.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti shared a video clip on X showing how JDA’s action has affected the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti described the action as  “another blow to a community that has endured unimaginable hardships for decades”.

She urged Omar Abdullah's government to take some action on the incident stating, “What began as targeted demolitions of assets of the tribal community has now been extended to Kashmiri Pandits, further deepening their sense of alienation and loss.”

The video shared by Mufti shows an elderly man who can be seen crying while saying: “Where will we go? We have lost everything.”
Another urged, “I think my heart will stop and I will collapse. What have they done to us?”

JDA chairman Pankaj Sharma asserted that the affected people were given prior notice on January 20. He added that they had signed a written agreement with the JDA to vacate the land by the end of February. However, the JDA could not take further action after the deadline passed because the model code of conduct was enforced for the Lok Sabha and later for the Assembly elections.

Sharma said that in the Muthi area, 25 kanals of land were initially used to settle Kashmiri Pandit migrants in one-room domed shelters. Later, they were moved to two-room flats in Purkhoo and Jagti. However, he noted that even after this relocation, many of them had not left the original settlement.

He further added the land was being used for the construction of 208 flats for economically weaker sections of society. Since the tendering process was completed, the land needed to be handed over to the successful bidder. Before carrying out the demolition, JDA officials called the original allottees to the site and opened the locks in their presence. He said that only one or two individuals were causing trouble.

Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the area and assured affected families that new shops would be built for them in Muthi Camp Phase II.

The demolition sparked a political storm after videos of the upset shopkeepers were shared online.
J&K Apni Party leader Altaf Bukhari condemned the action, saying the government should have provided alternatives to protect livelihoods. BJP spokesperson G L Raina called it a "revenge action" after the NC-Congress government returned.