Shingari distances himself from encroachment controversy

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: Senior Congress leader Surinder Singh Shingari has refuted the media reports that the illegally constructed shops on State land at Maheshpura, which were demolished by Jammu Municipal Corporation team yesterday, belonged to him.
“I am not even remotely connected to the said episode and whosoever made the construction, has done wrong and I strongly favour the JMC action of demolishing the illegal structures,” he said in a written statement, issued here today.
The Congress leader further said that some miscreants have tried to tarnish his image by dragging his name in the controversy for political mileage ahead of scheduled Assembly elections.
“As per my information, the said piece of land belongs to one Om Parkash, son of Sunder Dass, who has the possession and all relevant papers of the same and I am no where in the picture,” he said expressing surprise how the Municipal authorities dragged his name in the episode without ascertaining facts.