Curation Team
CHANDIGARH: Continuing its anti-encroachment drive, the Chandigarh administration on Wednesday demolished 10 residential structures in Manimajra. The land, measuring approximately 38 acres, was acquired by the administration in 1998 for public purposes, and compensation was duly paid. However, over the years, nearly 1.5 acres of this land were illegally encroached upon, with unauthorised structures built.
“Following due process, which included issuing statutory notices and providing sufficient time for voluntary vacation, the administration proceeded with the demolition. A petition filed by the encroachers in the high court was dismissed,” said Nishant Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner and estate officer.
A large contingent of police was deployed to maintain law and order during the operation, which was conducted under the close supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (East) in coordination with local police authorities.
Meanwhile, affected residents expressed strong opposition to the demolition. Raghubir Singh, whose house was among those demolished, said, “The administration is wrong in claiming that we were living here illegally. We’ve been living in these houses for the last 70 years and have all the documents to prove it. If we were illegal, why was the municipal corporation providing us water, electricity, and other amenities?”
Jasbir Kaur, another resident and a widow, added, “Where will I go now? The administration gives the order, but our house is ruined. The government should provide us with alternate land and compensation. When we legally bought the land and constructed our house, nobody stopped us.”
