DLF workers stopped from construction on disputed land

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, May 21

High drama prevailed in Sector 1 of Manesar when hundreds of villagers stopped DLF workers from carrying out construction activities against the Supreme Court’s orders on the disputed land.

The villagers claimed that the work has been going on for almost a week and despite repeated complaints to the police no action was taken forcing them to act.

They stormed the building and the panicked workers tried to escape from a rear gate but were trapped inside by the villagers. The police received information and reached the spot.

“It is the job of the police to see that nobody defies court orders but the cops took no action. We filed two complaints to the Police Commissioner but to no avail. Today also they reached the spot but did not enter building or register any FIR. Is it because DLF gave some donation to them?” alleged Omprakash Yadav who was leading the protesters.

The DLF officials insisted that only some minor repair were being carried out.

A team from HUDA headed by ATP Manish Yadav too reached to see if the workers were actually carrying out construction. The team asked the DLF officials to vacate site, including the residential quarters of workers.

“We have asked them to retain only the security at the site and orders everyone off the premises tomorrow morning since it was a violation of the court orders, said Yadav.

Meanwhile, the police said the villagers could move court for contempt proceedings.

“We have done our job. Our team reached immediately and stopped the work. We called ATP to assess the situation as the matter is in court. The villagers can move court for contempt orders against the company,” read the version issued by CP Navdeep Singh Virk.

It may be noted that Supreme Court had in April, 24, 2015 restrained real estate companies from construction in more than 600 acres in Manesar, Lakhnaula and Naurangpur villages of Gurgaon district on a plea by farmers that they were fraudulently forced to sell their fertile land for a pittance by the government. Subsequently, the orders were modified allowing the people to carry out minor repairs in their flats.

According to the petitioners, the state government had issued a notification on August 27, 2004 for acquiring 912 acres for the construction of Devi Lal Industrial Township, comprising residential, recreational and other public utilities. The final award for acquiring 688 acres was to be announced on August 26, 2007 but the state dropped the acquisition proceedings on August 24, 2007.