Anti-encroachment drive questionable: Cong

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 20

Questioning the way the anti-encroachment drive was being carried out in the state capital, state Congress   president Pritam Singh asserted that though it was against encroachments it would not tolerate the harassment of the people in the name of any such exercise.

Addressing a press conference at the state Congress headquarters in Dehradun on Friday, Pritam Singh said while the Congress did not support encroachments of any sort, the way the anti-encroachment drive is being carried out in the capital is certainly questionable.

Citing an example, Pritam Singh said Dehradun maps dating years 1904, 1938 and 1992 had been used to identify the encroachments, which looked impractical. “There is no point taking 1904 Dehradun map for identifying encroachments as a majority of the existing features of Dehradun city had not even come up at that time”, he argued, adding that how can 1904 or 1938 maps of Dehradun can be basis to identify encroachments and the subsequent action.

Pritam Singh said the most unfortunate part of the anti-encroachment exercise had been that many of those affected have been showing documentary proof to question demolition of their respective properties. Interestingly, those undertaking the drive are threatening even them. He said similarly, the administration issued notices to slum dwellers terming their dwellings as encroachments. 

Responding to queries, Pritam Singh clarified that the Congress was not for encroachments but was with the affected people. 

He also charged BJP MLAs of Dehradun with just trying to do lip service to those affected by the anti-encroachment drive.

Former Congress minister Dinesh Agarwal and senior Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana were also present at the news conference.