Jammu Forest Minister Orders Probe into Forest Rights Act Violations During Anti-Encroachment Drive

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Javed Rana announced on Wednesday that two separate inquiry committees have been established to investigate alleged violations of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) during a recent anti-encroachment drive in forest areas on the outskirts of Jammu city. The drive, which took place on Tuesday in the Raika Bandi forest belt of the lower Shivalik range, resulted in the demolition of over 30 structures and the retrieval of approximately 60 kanals of forest land valued at several crores, according to officials.

Information was available with The Chenab Times that the inquiries were initiated under the directives of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Minister Rana assured that action would be taken against any officials found responsible for committing excesses or overstepping legal procedures during the operation.

Addressing reporters in Jammu, Rana stated, “For the first time, an inquiry commission has been set up regarding the hardships you have suffered. Before this, no such inquiry commission had ever been formed.” He detailed that one committee has been formed under the tribal affairs department to scrutinize claims of violations of tribal and forest dwellers’ rights under the FRA. A second inquiry has been ordered internally within the forest department to assess the conduct of its personnel.

“Those who committed excesses against you will be brought under the law. If the proper legal procedure was not followed, then those responsible will face consequences — no matter how powerful or senior they may be,” the minister asserted. He further explained that the inquiries aim to determine if the prescribed legal procedure under the FRA was adhered to before the demolitions commenced, to identify where violations occurred, and to ascertain the responsibility of individuals involved. The investigation will also examine why eligible individuals, if covered under the Forest Rights Act, were not granted their rights prior to the eviction.

Rana recounted his efforts to gather information after the incident, noting a preliminary lack of knowledge from senior officials, departments, and even the Lok Bhavan regarding the demolition operation. He indicated that he had requested details from the administration, the forest department, and the Lok Bhavan once the matter came to light.

The Forest Minister reiterated that tribals, nomads, and forest dwellers are afforded protection under the Forest Rights Act and cannot be evicted without due legal process. “Even if we assume that these people are living on forest land, if they are tribals, nomads, or forest dwellers, then no power in the world can remove them under the Forest Rights Act,” he stated.

Citing court orders that reportedly supported the anti-encroachment drive, Rana emphasized that these judicial directives also mandate adherence to due procedure when dealing with forest dwellers and tribal communities. “I have read those judgments myself. They strengthen and empower the rights of forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act. They make it clear that no one can touch these people without following the due procedure established by law,” he said.

The minister also appealed to the public to resist attempts to politicize or communalize the issue, noting that support for the affected families has come from individuals across all communities. “This is not a Hindu-Muslim issue. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians are all standing with you. Some people want to give it a communal colour, but we will not allow them to succeed,” Rana added.

He concluded by stating that the government, operating as a welfare state, has a responsibility towards impoverished and marginalized individuals residing without shelter, regardless of whether they are explicitly covered under the FRA.

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