Two shops razed on Wakf Board land

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, December 16

Finally, the local administration with the assistance of the District Administration succeeded in demolishing two shops allegedly constructed on the Wakf Board land (graveyard) in the Chogan locality of the town late this evening.

The shops were demolished following the order of the High Court after a public interest litigation (PIL) plea was filed by some residents.

Abid Hussain, SDM, Nurpur, who had accompanied the team went to demolish the shops in the morning with the assistance of the police, faced the ire of locals who were joined by leaders of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishav Hindu Parishad. Hundreds of people reportedly assembled on the spot and stopped the administration from undertaking the demolition drive.

The situation remained tense for a few hours. The SDM on sensing tension imposed Section 144 of the CrPC this afternoon and restricted the assembly of five or more persons within 200 metre periphery of the area where shops had been constructed by encroachers. He also approached the district administration in this connection.

In the evening, a heavy police force from Dharamsala was deployed on the spot. Mast Ram, Additional District Magistrate, Kangra, supervised the demolition of structures. Earthmoving machine was pressed into service.

Meanwhile, following a complaint of the SDM, an FIR under Section 153(A) 353 of the IPC against seven persons was registered for allegedly promoting enmity between groups on the ground of religion and deterring public servant from discharging his duty.

The SDM told The Tribune that he had been directed by the High Court to remove structures on the Wakf Board land and file a compliance report in the court on December 19.