Axe falls on 49 illegal houses
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — In a major demolition drive, anti-encroachment staff of the Chandigarh Administration pulled down 49 houses in an illegal colony which had come up on an agricultural land and in violation of the Periphery Control Act in Raipur Kalan village today.

Even as the demolition work was going on at Raipur Kalan, vehicular traffic was thrown out of gear on national highway 21 (Chandigarh- Ambala road) as residents of similar other colonies of Raipur Khurd, Behlana, Hallomajra and members of the Action Committee for Development of Villages held up traffic for more than seven hours.

The protesters were joined by leaders of several political parties.

From 9 am till late in the evening scores of workers and three JCVs of the municipal corporation worked non-stop to achieve the aim. A large posse of policemen besides water cannon had been deployed to prevent any untoward incident. Besides Mr Ashish Kundra ,SDM, two tehsildars were present.

The houses of varying dimensions had come up on a 20 to 25 acre piece of land adjoining Panchkula and had water, power and sewerage connections. Most of the houses which were in varying stages of completion did not have anyone living in them. A couple of houses in the initial stages of construction had labourers or watchmen, who could salvage little of the material.

Surprisingly, till late noon owners of houses had not turned up to raise a hue and cry or reason out with the authorities. Unlike other such operations the going was a smooth affair.

Talking to TNS, Mr Kundra said that all houses were in violation of the periphery Act and notices under the relevant sections of the Act had been served on the owners. However, they began demolishing the latest and ongoing constructions, he claimed.

In the absence of owners it was left to some of the residents of other colonies and local leaders to raise objections. Many of them could be seen raising slogans against the Administration, a little away from the scene of demolistion.

Meanwhile, residents of illegal colonies had barricaded the national highway near the airport roundabout and demanded an immediate halt of the demolition drive. They were joined by political leaders and members of the committee who had only yesterday finished a relay fast on various issues facingvillagers, including regularisation of construction of houses built outside the ‘lal dora’ and in violation of the periphery Act.

Irate protesters did not allow even schoolchildren and elderly persons to cross the barricades. People had a hard time, reversing their vehicles while many could be seen asking about an alternative routes to the city. Traffic was diverted from the Zirakpur traffic lights on one side, and The Tribune roundabout on the other.

Several persons were roughed up when they tried to force their way through. Many could be seen taking their vehicles to the other side of the road over the the road dividers. The worst hit were the incoming commuters by bus who had to walk right up to The Tribune roundabout and the Zirakpur traffic lights in the case of the outgoing ones.

Finally, a deputation was called to meet the Adviser to the Administrator at 3 pm. Members of the deputation, including Mr Devinder Singh Babla, president SJP; Mr Harbhajan Singh, president of the action committee; Mr Pawan Sharma of the Congress, said the Adviser believed that something had to be done about the new constructions. He also assured them that an enquiry into the registration of land deeds for small plots would be made.

Meanwhile the local unit of the SJP, the SAD and the BJP have condemned the demolitions.

Mr D.S. Babla and Mr G.S. Riar have demanded the resignation of the local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, on this incident. The latter has also demanded the immediate recall of the Governor.