Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: In yet another major anti-encroachment operation aimed at widening of roads, the District Administration Rajouri retrieved around 15 kanals of prime land worth crores in Municipal limits and smashed about 73 structures (partially/ fully), including a shop of senior BJP leader and Vice Chairman of Pahari Board, Kuldip Raj Gupta besides several houses today.
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The day long operation involving over 12 JCBs and 150 security men, commenced early in the morning and the illegal structures raised on alignment of roads were removed. The drive was aimed at widening of the main approach road of Rajouri town.
A team comprised of Tehsildar Rajouri, Executive Office Municipal Committee and field staff initiated the anti-encroachment drive with security and Police assistance lead by SDPO Manjakote. Officers from PHE and PDD pressed their teams into action for shifting of utilities for uninterrupted supply of services. PWD (R&B) marked the alignment of road.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and SSP Yougal Manhas were closely monitoring the operation.
BJP leader, Kuldip Raj Gupta (Having MoS Rank), whose shop is located near Abdullah bridge himself appeared at the site and showed some resistance but the officers in the Administration asked him to stay away as prior notice was served to all and moreover, all were equal in the eyes of law. There was some protest from the local people including BJP workers but the Administration carried out its operation with the help of strong police force.
Later, in the evening another strong group of people in the town raised slogans in support of DC Rajouri, lauding his efforts of clearing road near congested Gujjar Mandi-Abdullah Bridge area and some other parts. They demanded that main approach road right from Salani Bridge to Gujjar Mandi Chowk and also towards Darhali Morh and Old Bus Stand side be cleared from encroachment by people.
An official spokesman said that a total 73 structures were demolished which included illegal structures likes stairs, extensions, roof and annexes encroaching upon road and several shops constructed on Government land. These structures included 59 extension cases and 24 shops. Eight shops constructed by a Government department in violation of norms were also demolished. The extension involved an area cover ranging from 2 ft to 12 ft and overall carpet area ranging from 40 Sq ft to 120 Sqft. These structures were covered over more than 15 kanals of land.
Deputy Commissioner along with other officers from line departments also visited the spot and inspected the anti-encroachment drive again in the evening. More than a dozen machines and round 150 string contingent of police and CRPF was deployed. However, no untoward incident was reported.
The DC also appreciated the gesture of most of the shopkeepers in personally facilitating the removal of encroachments. Some individuals attempted to create ruckus at the culmination of the drive was witnessed, however the general public from the area extended cooperation.
It is pertinent to mention here that several deputations from Rajouri town approached the Chief Minister on December 23, 2017 during the public outreach programme and demanded removal of encroachments wherein District Administration was issued directions. The district administration in two such drives earlier has retrieved more than 285 Kanal prime State land and major infrastructure development projects have been started over same. The general public of Rajouri town has widely appreciated the action of District Administration.
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