‘Illegally constructed’ ashram of Asaram Bapu in Samba demolished

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 27

Samba district administration on Saturday demolished the “illegally constructed” ashram of self-styled guru Asaram Bapu and retrieved nearly 65 kanals of government land.

The ashram worth crores was built on government land at Raie village in Ghagwal area of Samba district.

Fearing that followers of the jailed godman would oppose the action, heavy deployment of security personnel was made in Raie village and its adjoining areas.

Sources said the authorities had decided to demolish the ashram in March but the move was postponed due to coronavirus pandemic.

The hour-long operation was led by Ghagwal SDM Ramkesh Sharma under the supervision of District Magistrate, Samba, Rohit Khajuria.

Meanwhile anti-encroachment drive was also carried out by district administration Samba under the supervision of District Magistrate Samba at various other places.

“A team headed by Sub Divisional Magistrate, Ghagwal, Ramkesh Sharma and comprising Naib Tehsildar, SHO Kuldeep Raj and other officials of the Revenue and Police departments dismantled house and other structures constructed on the state land,” stated an official handout.

“JCB machine was used at the site and after two hours, 80 kanal of state land bearing khasra no. 676 and was retrieved,” read the handout.

“The state land is situated adjoining the Jammu-Pathankot national highway connecting Jammu and Kathua and is worth of crores,” it added.