Anti-encroachment drives target the poor, spare the rich: MLA Tanvir Sadiq

Srinagar, Oct 28: MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, on Tuesday raised the issue of people living around the water bodies in Srinagar, demanding that eco-friendly structures of underprivileged residents be allowed to exist.

Speaking on the second day of the Autumn Session of the J&K Assembly, he drew attention to the plight of Srinagar residents living near these water bodies. “For the past 10 or so years, the rich and affluent have been allowed to raise hotels and other structures near the water bodies, but the shacks of the poor are dismantled,” he said, calling out what he termed as “anti-poor” policies.

Water bodies like Khushalsar, Gilsar, and Anchar are surrounded by poor families living in shanties. These shanties are removed during anti-encroachment drives; however, if someone with money wants to construct a hotel in the same area, permission is granted.

He added that permission for temporary bridges was also being denied.

The MLA demanded immediate intervention in the matter.