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Manmeet Singh Gill
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, March 19
Finally, a team of the Municipal Corporation (MC) demolished the illegal enclosure constructed over an acre of land at the historic Company Bagh on Tuesday. The team, led by Estate Inspector Sonu Sharma, also seized the iron grills that formed the enclosure.
The encroachers had on Monday managed to defer the MC’s demolition plan with a commitment that they would remove the remaining construction on their own. But, as they did not remove a single brick, the MC took a discreet and swift action on Tuesday and demolished the structure. The encroachers didn’t get time to gather and oppose the drive.
Though the MC action is being widely praised by visitors to the historic Bagh and residents, at the same time it has raised questions on the laxity and indifference of the authorities concerned over the years as a result of which many such enclosures have come up. Most of these enclosures are meant for private use of the park’s land for recreational purposes.
“The remaining portion of the park, which is under the control of private groups, should be freed. Most of these enclosures remain under lock and key and are opened only for a select group of persons as common citizens are not allowed,” said a resident, Kuljit Singh.
MC Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia said the encroachment was removed on the orders of the MC Commissioner. He said nobody was allowed to use the public land for personal purposes. He added that the action action would act as a deterrent for future.