JAMMU: A senior BJP leader was allegedly caught on camera pelting stones on police in Nowshera of Rajouri district. 


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Kuldeep Raj Gupta, the Vice-Chairman Pahari Development Board and the Minister of State, in the ruling PDP-BJP coalition, reportedly threw stones to attack policemen and authorities during an anti-encroachment drive.


Gupta pelted stones after two shops owned by his sons were demolished. 


However, Gupta claimed that he had picked up the stone to hit himself because of incurring losses around Rs 40-50 lakh.


In a major anti-encroachment drive aimed at the widening of roads, the district administration removed 73 illegal structures and retrieved around 2 acres of prime land in municipal limits in Rajouri district, a senior district official said.


The illegal structures, raised on the alignment of the road in violation of the Prevention of Ribbon Development Act, were removed, he said.


A team, comprised of Tehsildar Rajouri, Executive Office Municipal Committee and field staff, initiated the anti-encroachment drive with security and police assistance lead by SDPO Manjakote.


"A total of 73 structures were demolished and removed, which included illegal structures likes stairs, extensions, roof and annexes encroaching upon road and several shops constructed on government land," he said.


These structures included 59 extension cases and 24 shops. Eight shops constructed by a government department in violation of norms were also demolished, he added.


These structures were covered over more than 15 kanals (nearly 2 acres) of land, the official added.


With agency inputs