Residents oppose move to raze wall around colony

Fearing that boundary wall around their colony might be demolished by the authorities under alleged political pressure to provide a passage for another upcoming housing project, scores of residents of 33 Avenue here today strongly opposed any such attempt.

Holding a protest under the banner of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of JD Green 33 Avenue, Sector 33, they termed the decision as “illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights”.

“We have come to know that the boundary wall of our residential colony might be demolished by the district administration under political pressure. So far, we have not got any communication from the authorities, but we fear such an action is impending. Neither any statutory approval nor our consent has been taken,” said Rajiv Verma, president of the RWA JD Green 33 Avenue.

“The boundary wall stands on our privately-owned land, for which we have all valid documents and ownership records. Any attempt to demolish it amounts to encroachment and a serious violation of our security and rights,” he maintained.

On the behalf of the association, he said the plan to demolish the boundary wall should be dropped immediately and an unauthorised access to any builder should not be given. “The safety and constitutional rights of the residents must be safeguarded,” he added.

Verma added that a written assurance should be given by the administration to prevent any illegal interference with their property in the future.

The RWA president warned that if their objections are ignored and the wall is razed, over 100 families residing in 33 Avenue would have no option but to protest.

Kirti Kumar Sharma, general secretary of the RWA, said the issue was not only about property rights, but also about the residents’ security. “We will not allow anyone to compromise with the safety of our families for commercial interests,” he added.

The association urged the district administration to intervene in the matter immediately and uphold the residents’ ownership rights.