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Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 23
Ever since a letter from the Local Bodies Department has been received by the civic body, the otherwise “relaxed” officials seem to be on their toes.
So far, the MC officials were waiting for the state government’s reply over encroachments by shopkeepers in Chaura Bazar.
But seeing no other option now, they will have to demolish the extended portions, adhering to the High Court orders. The next date of hearing of the contempt of court petition 27 of 2013 is on July 28 and MC has to submit an affidavit as to what action it was going to take against encroachments.
And once they submit the affidavit that they would be taking action, MC will have to adhere to it. Keeping this in mind, the authorities have written to the Commissioner of Police to provide police force to the civic body so that demolition drive could be carried out. The drive would be carried on between August 5 and 11.
As per the letter sent to Police Chief, the MC has requested him to provide 300 male cops and 100 female cops. Besides, the police have been asked to provide riot equipment and tear gas staff. The MC has also requested that area SHO concerned be present while the drive is conducted. As far as the MC is concerned, DSP MC will be there. Six JCB machines, four tippers and a fire brigade would be there during the demolition drive.
An official with the building branch said: “Though it will not be a cakewalk as almost all politicians will intervene as Chaura Bazar is a good vote bank for them. But since it is the High Court’s directions to remove encroachments, it has to be done. The MC once tried regularising these encroachments by sending a letter to the Local Bodies Department, but when the department flatly refused to do so, we have no other option but to carry on with the demolition drive.”
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