Dappar (Lalru), December 13
Putting security to risk, a few top Punjab Congress leaders and their supporters have allegedly rehabilitated 800 families in the vicinity of the Ammunition Depot, Dappar, a prohibited area. These families, mostly Gujjars, were earlier housed in a slum colony under the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat.

Politicians, including a Cabinet-rank minister, allegedly ordered shifting of these families to a four-acre piece of agriculture land in Dappar village. Insiders point out that certain influential representatives of these uprooted slum dwellers have withdrawn a case from a Rajpura court relating to a dispute over 14 acres of prime land worth Rs 100 crore in Zirakpur, under their occupation for the last over 15 years.

Interestingly, these families were given small plots each measuring 10 by 20 ft each on a piece of agriculture land barely 300 metres from the Ammunition Depot. The allottees have been promised power and water connections, besides other basic amenities at the new site, where they are being shifted since late last night.

Construction within 1200 metres from the boundary wall of the depot is banned by the Defence Ministry. About a dozen villages surrounding the defence installations here have already been served notices, banning construction and other activities that pose a threat to the Ammunition Deport.

Talking to The Tribune, Mr Sangram (50), one of those who has shifted to the new site, claimed that the slum dwellers had been fighting a court case for possession of the Zirakpur land (adjacent to the Zirakpur police station, for the last about 15 years. “Our leaders compromised and withdrew a court case over the land and agreed to shift to Dappar on the promise that facilities would be provided to us.” He said: “Mrs Sheelam Sohi, a Congress leader from Zirakpur, had assured them the land in Dappar village would be registered in the name of six persons fighting the court case. The carved plots (10x20 feet) would later be registered in the names of heads of families uprooted.”