Jammu, November 29, 2025 – In a compassionate turn following the demolition of a journalist’s home by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), a neighbour has stepped forward to offer a piece of land to help rebuild the family’s residence. The gesture comes amid growing public attention and political controversy surrounding the demolition drive.

Neighbour Offers Support

Kuldeep Kumar, a resident of Jammu, visited the family of social media journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing in the aftermath of the demolition and offered a five-marla plot in Transport Nagar to the affected family. Kumar, accompanied by his daughter, announced that the land would be gifted through her and extended assistance for constructing a new home.

“I am gifting five marlas of land through my daughter to the family so that my brother can rebuild his house,” Kumar told reporters, according to PTI. A video of Kumar making the announcement quickly went viral on social media, earning praise for the neighbourly gesture.

The Demolition Incident

The demolition took place on Thursday when JDA officials, with police support, razed the journalist’s decrepit house in Jammu’s Narwal area. The authority stated that the drive was part of ongoing efforts to clear encroachments across the city.

Journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing, who runs the local news portal Seher News, alleged that the demolition occurred without prior notice and suggested that it was intended as a “message” to journalists speaking critically against government actions.

The demolition followed a similar action a day earlier in Kangan, central Kashmir, where a building was also taken down, heightening public scrutiny and sparking debates over the motives behind such drives.

Political Reactions

The incident quickly became a political flashpoint, with leaders from different parties trading accusations.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the action, accusing the lieutenant governor’s administration of executing politically motivated “bulldozer campaigns” aimed at maligning the elected government. Abdullah emphasized the importance of elected officials overseeing appointments and decision-making in development authorities and revenue departments.

“The officers appointed by Raj Bhawan without seeking permission from an elected government or taking the minister concerned into confidence are using bulldozers. It’s a ploy to defame the elected government,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar. He further stated that all key staff in his domain, including CEOs of development authorities, should be appointed by the elected government, asserting that the demolition bypassed due protocol.

On the other side, former Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina described the demolition as “selective” but clarified that neither the lieutenant governor’s administration nor the BJP-led government had issued the orders. Raina praised Kuldeep Kumar’s gesture as a symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s communal harmony and expressed his commitment to supporting the affected residents.

“I was pained to see this. Our Prime Minister believes in giving houses to the poor, not demolishing them. We will ensure all help,” Raina said. He also highlighted that the LG administration had no role in the demolition and criticized the Omar Abdullah government for the incident.

Impact on the Journalist’s Family

The demolition has left Daing’s family without shelter, and the offer from Kumar has provided a ray of hope. With the gift of a five-marla plot and assistance in constructing a new home, the family can potentially rebuild and recover from the loss. The viral video of the land offer has brought widespread attention to the journalist’s plight, generating support from the public and media circles alike.

Broader Context

JDA’s demolition drives have periodically sparked controversy, often being criticized for their alleged lack of prior notice and selective targeting. Activists and local communities have raised concerns about transparency and fairness, particularly when actions appear to affect vulnerable groups or individuals critical of authorities.

In this case, the demolition of a journalist’s home amplified concerns about freedom of expression and the treatment of media professionals in Jammu and Kashmir. The swift intervention by a neighbour to provide land highlights community solidarity and underscores the potential for local support networks to counterbalance administrative actions.

Conclusion

The incident reflects the complex interplay of governance, community action, and political narrative in Jammu and Kashmir. While the JDA emphasized its mandate to clear encroachments, the demolition of Daing’s home, combined with allegations of targeting journalists, has raised important questions about procedure and intent.

Kuldeep Kumar’s offer to provide land and construction assistance has turned public attention towards human compassion and civic responsibility, serving as a counterpoint to the controversy surrounding the demolition. The story has resonated widely, highlighting how acts of solidarity can provide relief and hope in the wake of distressing events.

As of now, Daing’s family is considering the offer and preparing to rebuild, while the political debate over the demolition continues, reflecting broader tensions in the region between administrative authority, elected government oversight, and citizens’ rights.