Qadian council demands FIR; demolition drive to resume
QADIAN (BATALA): A municipal council demolition squad out to raze illegal structures on land encroached by an Akali leader was forced to retreat as the local police refused to provide security cover allegedly due to the last-minute influence by a political high-up.
Sant Nagar locality residents had held a protest at the municipal council office against the encroachment a few days back.
Council president Balwinder Kaur convened a house meeting during which vice president Dalwinderjit Singh, along with at least six other councillors, passed a resolution to clear the encroached area.
Foreseeing resistance by the Akali leader, the councillors present during the meeting accompanied Naib Tehsildar Major Singh to the site and asked the police to be present while the drive was underway.
. But, as the council dozers advanced, police constables present on the spot stopped them saying that the SHO was on leave, which is why they could not allow them to go ahead with the demolition.
MC chief Balwinder Kaur, when contacted, said that revenue records revealed that the Akali leader owns 1 kanal and 13 marlas even as construction is underway on 2 kanal and 2 maria land, which is against the law.
She said they had demolished part of the encroachment while the rest would be removed soon.
The MC has passed a resolution demanding a FIR against the accused, she said.
Qadian police refused to provide security cover, which is why the MC workers were forced to return, she said in reply to a question.
DSP, Qadian, said they did not have orders from high-ups to cover the demolition drive.
SOURCE-HT
