GLADA razes jhuggis, clears encroachments amid resistance at Vishwakarma Colony

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 16

The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) today razed 15 jhuggis and parts of other structures, including residential portion of a place of worship, on the government land at Vishwakarma Colony in the Moti Nagar area.

Although area residents resisted and objected to demolition of what they claimed was a part of the temple, GLADA officials maintained that no disrespect was shown to idols of gods and goddesses as only the residential portion of the place of worship was pulled down while clearing encroachments.

Officials of the engineering branch of GLADA arrived at the spot with men, machines and strong police force for demolition of structures on the government land. Situation took an unpleasant turn when a part of the temple was pulled down and some local leaders made attempts to give the anti-encroachment drive a religious colour. However, GLADA officials and the police stood their ground and handled protesting onlookers tactfully.

One of the GLADA officials, who was part of the demolition squad, claimed that there were some mischief mongers, who tried to give religious colour to the anti-encroachment drive to scuttle removal of illegal structures.

The official maintained that due respect was shown to idols and only residential portion of the temple was pulled down as it was constructed on the government land.