A demolition drive in Jammu has come under fire after authorities tore down the home of journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing – the only structure targeted in the area that day. Daing alleges the action was carried out without prior notice and was a message to journalists who refuse to “toe the line”.
The Telegraph reported that Daing, who runs the digital news channel News Sehar India, said he was bruised and detained along with his two brothers while the demolition was underway in Jammu’s Narwal area. A video from the spot showed scores of policemen surrounding the site, monitoring the bulldozers and preventing him from filming a live commentary as the house was reduced to rubble.
The demolition has triggered sharp criticism from political leaders and lawyers who alleged that the administration had singled him out.
A report by The Hindu quoted Daing as saying, “Earlier, my house was demolished in Bathindi. I put up a brave face. I shifted to my parents’ house. This house too was demolished. The house existed for more than 40 years. It’s a selective drive. Only one house was demolished. Is my house the only illegal one in the entire Jammu city?”
“This is a message for those who are into fair and truthful journalism. Toe their line, else your shelter will be taken away. It’s not easy to build a house,” he added, according to the report.
Team of 100s, fleet of JCBs, all this to demolish just 1 house!
— gulvinder (@rebelliousdogra) November 27, 2025
No this is not a demolition drive against the Drug mafia, an OGW or Terrorist, BUT A JOURNALIST.
While most of the state land in #Jammu is encroached by BJP leaders, a common man pays the price for speaking truth! pic.twitter.com/OO9ayTgzJl
Come forward and support the Fearless Voice of Jammu and Kashmir,
— Freelancer Shafqat Sheikh (@ShafqatSheikh99) November 27, 2025
Support Arfaz Raja Daing, the whole home was demolished today by JDA to suppress the voices raised against their wrongdoings. @ArfazD @NewsSeharIndia @ANI @OmarAbdullah pic.twitter.com/zK2O3L2EEh
Deeply disturbing to learn that the house of NSI journalist Mr. Arfaz Ahmed Daing in Bathindi, Jammu has been demolished by JDA without any prior notice. Such selective targeting and intimidation of journalists is unacceptable in any democracy.
— Sajjad Shaheen (@sajjadshaheen) November 27, 2025
I urge Hon’ble CM @OmarAbdullah to… pic.twitter.com/BcIFKj6lDc
The targeting and demolition of Journalist Arfaz Daing’s 40 year old house in Jammu is unjustified and highly condemnable. Why selective action when many such properties exist in the same area? This act by the government is deeply unfortunate! @NewsSeharIndia pic.twitter.com/HyyJuDOda3
— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) November 28, 2025
Senior Jammu lawyers Sheikh Shakeel and Zulkarnain Choudhary reportedly condemned the demolition, arguing that the JDA had violated the principle of equal application of the law. The paper quoted Shakeel as saying that one person was singled out. “One cannot justify encroachment, but the JDA should act against all big violators and follow the rules and procedures,” Shakeel told The Hindu.
PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para said: “The J&K government must stop this bulldozer practice and review its decision to reject PDP’s land regularisation bill. Homes are lives, not lines to be erased.”
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said the reported absence of due notice was “deeply concerning.” “If his (Arfaz Daing) claims are true, it reflects a serious lapse in due process. No authority can bypass the procedure established by law. Accountability must follow.”
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