Trespasses at Kabir Park removed

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 12

The Municipal Corporation (MC) removed encroachments at Kabir Park here yesterday. Residents had encroached upon the government land by installing gates, grills and constructing sheds on the green belts outside their residences.

According to information, there are around 40 houses around the Kabir Park who have resorted to encroachment. A local resident, Kirpal Singh, had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC), following which a notice of contempt was issued. MC officials have to submit the status report on August 21.

In a joint action, the estate and property wings of the MC removed the illegal structures of 25 houses. The MC has also removed a structure from the residence of former SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha. Several residents have still encroached upon the land but the MC removed only 25 encroachments.

Meanwhile, residents opposed the MC action. They said the officials concerned should have issued noticed before taking action.

Jaswinder Singh, Estate Officer of the MC, said, “We have to submit the report to the court so we demolished the encroachments. They are encroachers and why do we serve notice to them. No one has the right to encroach upon government land. If someone violates the rules, we are not bound to serve notice before taking action.”

Jagdeep Singh, Assistant Town Planner, said, “We have asked the residents to remove illegal structures from the the green belt till Monday otherwise we will demolish the same.”