Nepali Nagar residents fight pitched battle with police to protest razing drive

 

Patna, July 3. 2022: Local residents fought a pitched battle with police and local administration in Nepali Nagar area when a strong team of administration reached there to demolish the houses illegally built on the housing board’s land. In a day-long action, 75 houses were demolished completely and 20 partially by the administration.

The administration team along with more than 500 police personnel reached the spot in the early morning of Sunday to demolish the illegal structures. The encroachers protested the move and a scuffle started between the police and the encroachers. It is said that protesters threw petrol bombs at the police while police fired tear gas shells to quell the crowd. There was heavy stone pelting from both the sides. The protestors also set some tyres on fire to block the traffic movement on the road.

City superintendent of police (central) Ambrish Rahul was injured due to stone pelting while a dozen of police personnel also suffered injuries. The City SP was immediately sent to hospital for treatment. Leg of a woman constable was also broken.

Seeing the situation getting serious, district magistrate Dr Chandrashekhar Singh and SSP Manavjit Singh Dhillon also reached the spot along with more police force.  Due to this ruckus between the police and the encroachers, the process of demolishing the house came to a complete halt for almost three hours. Later, police surrounded the entire area and resorted to lathi-charge. The demolition drive continued till late in the evening.

The district administration had brought 14 bulldozers for action, but when there was a delay in demolition of the house, the team also ordered two Poclain machines. With the help of Poclain machines the big construction was destroyed in hours.

Apart from about 500 personnel, 25 to 30 officials were also present. At the same time, more than six vehicles of the fire brigade were standing on the road to deal with the fire. An ambulance was also called by the police. During the action, police personnel from Shastrinagar, Buddha Colony, Rajiv Nagar, Patliputra, Digha police stations were also called.

Meanwhile, police arrested 25 people including Digha Krishi Bhoomi Awas Bachao Sangharsh Samiti President Shrinath Singh and its secretary for creating obstacle in government work.  A woman was also arrested. All of them were and sent them to jail. Police have also seized five vehicles.

The district administration has claimed that according to the information received, people were also called from outside to create a ruckus. The involvement of land mafia has also been found on the basis of the call details and WhatsApp chat of the arrested people. In such a situation, on the basis of call details, WhatsApp chat and video footage, those who create ruckus are being identified. Strict action will be taken against them after investigation. Patna DM Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh and SSP Manavjit Singh Dhillon have said that the miscreants will be dealt with strictly. The operation against encroachment will continue for now.

According to information, the administration had already given notice to all these 70 house owners to vacate almost a month back.

In 1974, the housing board started purchasing 1024 acres of land from the farmers to build residential complexes, but allegedly the farmers were not being compensated adequately, and the entire matter reached the Supreme Court.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui