Faridabad: 700 more Khori structures razed

Faridabad, July 26

Despite a protest by locals, as many as 700 more residential constructions were razed by the Municipal Corporation on the 13th day of the Khori demolition drive on Monday.

A total of 6,500 houses have been demolished so far.

The protest, however, delayed the drive by about an hour. Reportedly around 150 persons, including women and children, started raising slogans against the authorities and the government, demanding to halt the drive. “As the protesters tried to stop the JCB machines to move ahead or start the work, the police resorted to a mild canecharge to disperse the mob,” an official said, adding that the drive started at 11 am and was on till 5.30 pm to make up for the time lost.

The drive launched on July 14 in compliance with the Supreme Court’s June 7 order is expected to be carried till the end of this month as around 20 to 25 per cent of the constructions were yet to be razed.

Alleging that at least 16 persons were arrested by the police after the protest on Monday, a spokesperson of the Khori Awas Sangharsh Samiti said total 50 residents had been booked for opposing the demolition to date. “The authorities have also failed to provide any immediate relief to the affected people, who were left homeless,” said Nirmal Gorana, a samiti member. — TNS