NEWS ANALYSIS | From the Desk of The Rajouri Times
Rajouri, July 29: The devastation witnessed in Bela Colony after the recent floods has left several families without homes, businesses, vehicles, and lifelong savings. The pain of those who have lost their movable and immovable property is real, and they deserve immediate rehabilitation, financial assistance, and all possible support from the district administration. The Rajouri Times stands firmly with every affected family in this difficult time.
At the same time, the ongoing public debate has largely focused on blaming the Municipal Council Rajouri (MCR). While accountability is essential, fixing responsibility on one agency alone without a complete investigation would neither be fair nor legally justified.
A fundamental question must be answered: How did large-scale construction come up in an area that is now being described as vulnerable? Buildings do not emerge overnight. If there has been any illegal occupation of State land, someone must have permitted it, someone must have sold it, and someone must have processed or altered the relevant revenue records, if such changes were made.
The demand for an impartial inquiry is therefore justified but that inquiry should not stop at the Municipal Council. It should examine every authority and every individual who played a role in permitting, facilitating, or benefiting from illegal encroachments, if any are established.
The administration has already imposed restrictions on movement and construction in Bela Colony after technical assessments found the area vulnerable to further risk, indicating that the matter involves broader safety and land management concerns beyond municipal functions alone. Another matter that deserves serious attention is the increasing number of claims circulating on social media. Several individuals have publicly asserted ownership over land in Bela Colony. If those claims relate to disputed or State land, the investigating agencies should examine them carefully. Anyone found to have illegally occupied government land, manipulated official records, or participated in unlawful transactions should face action in accordance with the law. Likewise, if any official is found to have abused public office by facilitating such acts, accountability must be fixed without fear or favour.
While those responsible for illegal encroachments or fraudulent land dealings, if proven, must face strict legal action, innocent families who invested their life savings believing their properties to be lawful should not be abandoned. They deserve compassion, rehabilitation, and appropriate government assistance.
A transparent, time-bound, multi-departmental inquiry is the only way to restore public confidence. Justice will be served not by targeting one institution alone, but by identifying every person responsible from illegal sellers and encroachers to any officials who may have enabled such actions.
The Rajouri Times stands with the flood victims, supports a fair and impartial investigation, and believes that accountability must reach every guilty person, while every innocent affected family must receive the assistance and protection they deserve.
Author: therajouritimes
Lakkar Mandi Janipur Jammu
