Attempts to disturb Jammu’s peace for political gains will not be tolerated, says Vikrant
JAMMU, Jun 2: Hindustan Shiv Sena State President Vikrant Kapoor has demanded that those involved in stone-pelting on police personnel during the recent unrest in the Raika Bandi forest area near Sidhra be arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA). He asserted that strict action must be taken against individuals illegally encroaching upon forest and government land and against those attempting to disrupt peace and communal harmony in Jammu.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Kapoor said police were compelled to resort to aerial firing to bring the violent situation under control after protesters allegedly attacked security personnel with stones. According to reports, several police officials, including senior officers, sustained injuries during the incident.
Kapoor alleged that certain political leaders were attempting to vitiate the atmosphere in Jammu for their own political interests. “Any attempt to destabilize peace and harmony in Jammu for political gains will not be tolerated,” he said.
Referring to the protest in the Raika Bandi (Bandi Ragora) forest area, Kapoor stated that inflammatory speeches and provocative rhetoric delivered during the demonstration contributed to the deterioration of the situation. He maintained that action against illegal encroachments should be carried out without discrimination and that those responsible for inciting violence and disturbing public order should face stringent legal consequences, including detention under the PSA.
He further claimed that despite repeated warnings from authorities regarding the lack of permission for the protest and concerns about potential law-and-order problems, some individuals allegedly associated with activist Talib Hussain proceeded with the demonstration and resorted to stone-pelting. Kapoor alleged that the objective was to obstruct police duties, injure security personnel and create unrest.
According to reports, protesters also delivered inflammatory speeches during the demonstration, following which police took preventive measures and fired a few rounds in the air to disperse the crowd.
The incident occurred during a sit-in protest led by affected families in the Raika Bandi forest area, where an anti-encroachment drive was conducted on May 19, 2026. The operation was carried out jointly by the Forest Department, Revenue Department and Police authorities. Since the demolition drive, affected families had been staging protests at the site.
Kapoor praised the efforts of the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department, senior officials and the district administration for undertaking measures to remove illegal encroachments from forest land. He said the administration’s actions were aimed at protecting public property and preserving forest resources.
The Shiv Sena leader noted that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted two separate inquiry committees to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine accountability.
Among those present at the press conference were Ramesh Gupta, Senior State Vice President and J&K In-charge of Hindustan Shiv Sena; senior leaders Sunil Debgotra, Jeevan Sharma, Rakesh, Baba Ram Kaith, Parveen Gupta, Abhishek, Himanshu and Amit; along with Jyoti Devi, leader of the Women’s Wing, and other party members.