Jammu: On June 1, Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested People Democratic Party (PDP) leader and tribal rights activist Talib Hussain for allegedly attacking the police with “deadly missiles and stones” while he was protesting against the demolition drive conducted in the Raika Bandi area of Sidra, Jammu, where almost 30 structures were demolished by the authorities.Hussain was booked under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the first information report (FIR) registered at the Bagh-e-Bahu police station, he faces charges under Sections 109, 126(2), 121, 132, 191(2), 191(3), 190, 125, and 125(2) of the BNS, on charges of attempted murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt and assault of a public servant, rioting with deadly weapons and compromising public safety.Earlier on May 19, around 4 am when people were sleeping, a contingent of J&K police and forest officials arrived in Bandi village, asking residents to vacate their residences immediately.“It came as a shock to us; we had children sleeping inside. Their books, uniforms and household belongings were in the house as well,” said a resident whose house was demolished. “We tried to resist the unjust action but were threatened with dire consequences. In a matter of hours, the entire area was razed to the ground,” they added.Interestingly on May 12, a local Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, Vikram Randhawa, led a protest march before the demolition drive, demanding action against alleged “encroachers”.Families are currently living in tents in front of their demolished houses. “I have a family of seven people and we are managing in just one tent. We are all labourers and have not encroached on any land. We have been on this land for generations,” said Sarfaraz Hussain, a resident of the locality.After the demolition drive, around 150 people reportedly gathered near the site and called for a halt on such activities. Talib joined them in voicing their concerns. “As Talib joined the protest against the demolitions, the police stopped and detained him,” said Advocate Mohammad Akram, who is challenging the arrest.Akram told The Wire that Talib was merely giving a voice to the vulnerable in a just and peaceful way. He had a copy of the constitution in his hand and was demanding the constitutional rights of tribal communities.PDP youth leader Waheed ur Rehman Para said, “This is very unfortunate. Talib is a tribal rights activist. Accusing him of attacking the police with deadly missiles is misleading.” He pushed for Talib’s immediate release and described the drive as selective with only one community being targeted.In a post on X, PDP spokesperson Iltija Mufti said, “PDP’s Talib Hussain, arrested last week, has been accused in his chargesheet of attacking the police with ‘deadly missiles.’ Pray tell what missiles were these? Talib didn’t fling a single stone. All he did was articulate the injustice of the families whose homes were demolished. Imagine the state of affairs in J&K if a man is thrown into jail based on such ludicrous allegations? That too, in the Hon’ble high court? Release him immediately.”PDPs Talib Hussain arrested last week has been accused in his chargesheet of attacking the police with ‘deadly missiles’. Pray tell what missiles were these? Talib didn’t fling a single stone.All he did was articulate the injustice of families whose homes were demolished.… pic.twitter.com/DiqIlgoDgP— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) June 6, 2026Speaking to The Wire, she further said, “It is very sad. What Talib was doing is not illegal or undemocratic in any way. In a democracy, to raise your voice in a peaceful manner is well within the fundamental rights. So, to treat him like a criminal and keeping him behind the bars is a worrying sight.”She further asserted that the demolition drive was illegal. According to Supreme Court guidelines, if one has to demolish a house, they have to give the residents a minimum of two-weeks’ notice. No notice was provided to the people of Bandi village. Police have maintained that protestors assembled without prior permission and hence violated the advisories. Along with Talib, five other people have been detained and are facing legal action.The Wire reached out to the concerned police station and the investigating officer about Talib’s arrest. The police station claimed only the investigating officer had the required information, but was unavailable to talk. This report will be updated after the officer responds.