15 illegal structures demolished

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 22

In a major demolition drive carried out in the Mithu Basti area, the Municipal Corporation Jalandhar (MCJ) demolished around 15 buildings today.

Though people lodged a huge protest against the police and building branch officials present on the spot, the fully equipped demolition squad accompanying the officials demolished all of the encroachments within three hours only.

Shakti Sagar Bhatia, senior town planner, said they had encroached upon a nullah and despite sending numerous notices to vacate the land, the encroachers refused to comply with the orders.

“Though we faced heavy resistance and were even physically assaulted by the defaulters, our team managed to accomplish the task within a stipulated time of three hours,” said Bhatia.

He said the team also sealed a building near the MC office where a building meant for residential purposes was being converted into a commercial complex.

According to witnesses, the police team accompanying the MC officials faced huge resistance by the encroachers. One of the encroacher even slapped a police official when he prevented him to come in front of the ditching machine.

A few of them, including Amritpal Singh, Jasbeer kaur, Charanjeet Kaur and Seva Singh, were taken into temporary custody during the time of the operation.