Encroachments removed from Naya Bazaar

Tribune news Service

Jalandhar, August 16

Ending the year long controversy over the illegal encroachments at Naya Bazaar area, the shopkeepers began to remove the encroachments even before the arrival of the demolition squad of the Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar (MCJ) on Thursday.

It being the last day of the notice period, the MC team accompanied by the police force reached the spot early morning. However, even before they could begin action, the shopkeepers had begun to take out shutters installed illegally outside their shops.

Last month, the shopkeepers organised a huge protest against the demolition squad and even Uma Beri, the Congress councillor and wife of Congress MLA Rajinder Beri condemned the action and did not allow the team to demolish the illegal encroachments.

When asked as to why she had protested against the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Uma Beri said she did not do any contempt but had sought time for shopkeepers to vacate shops on their own. She had further argued that since majority of the houses in the area were over 80-year-old and could have collapsed during the demolition process, she had sought more time for them.

Since Thursday was the last day of hearing of the case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the MC officials had no option but to remove the encroachments from the spot. However, the illegal structures were removed by the shopkeepers only.

This is not for the first time when the MC officials have visited the area to demolish illegal shops. Earlier also, it had carried out a demolition drive amid huge protest by area residents. Some even laid down in front of the earthmovers.

However, this time, the residents could not enjoy political patronage as most of the local leaders remained absent from the spot, fearing any legal action for contempt of court.

The action was taken by the MC in compliance with the High Court’s order which, while responding to a writ petition, had directed officials to remove the encroachments at the earliest.