Gorakhpur Civic Body Demolishes Illegal Structures in Khariya Pokhara

20 Dec 2024 CW Team

Three months earlier, a joint survey by the municipal and tehsil administrations had identified 1.55 acre of encroached land occupied by 15 individuals, which included five permanent structures, some boundary walls, and foundations. Despite prior announcements made on loudspeakers warning encroachers to vacate, unauthorized constructions continued to obstruct the beautification project.

The enforcement squad, led by additional municipal commissioner Nirankar Singh, faced intense resistance. Several protesters attempted to block the bulldozers by squatting on the road, but the police intervened and dispersed the crowd to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly. Despite appeals from both men and women, their requests were ignored, and the presence of senior officials ensured the demolition went ahead as planned, leaving no room for the protesters' demands.

Singh stated that 15 individuals had encroached upon the pond's land, which included five houses, several boundary walls, and some foundation work. He mentioned that a ruling from 1998 by the then-SDM had already declared the land to be part of the pond.

Although the encroachers had taken the matter to court, the high court had not passed any order to restrain the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation from clearing the land. Singh further explained that the individuals had fraudulently obtained documents to justify their claims, and with the encroachments removed, Khariya Pokhara was now free for redevelopment. He added that those without alternative housing had already been given one to two months to vacate, as indicated in multiple prior notices.

In a decisive move to beautify Khariya Pokhara, the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation initiated an anti-encroachment drive around noon. The enforcement team, accompanied by a heavy police contingent, demolished illegal structures in the Shahpur area despite strong public resistance. Three months earlier, a joint survey by the municipal and tehsil administrations had identified 1.55 acre of encroached land occupied by 15 individuals, which included five permanent structures, some boundary walls, and foundations. Despite prior announcements made on loudspeakers warning encroachers to vacate, unauthorized constructions continued to obstruct the beautification project. The enforcement squad, led by additional municipal commissioner Nirankar Singh, faced intense resistance. Several protesters attempted to block the bulldozers by squatting on the road, but the police intervened and dispersed the crowd to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly. Despite appeals from both men and women, their requests were ignored, and the presence of senior officials ensured the demolition went ahead as planned, leaving no room for the protesters' demands. Singh stated that 15 individuals had encroached upon the pond's land, which included five houses, several boundary walls, and some foundation work. He mentioned that a ruling from 1998 by the then-SDM had already declared the land to be part of the pond. Although the encroachers had taken the matter to court, the high court had not passed any order to restrain the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation from clearing the land. Singh further explained that the individuals had fraudulently obtained documents to justify their claims, and with the encroachments removed, Khariya Pokhara was now free for redevelopment. He added that those without alternative housing had already been given one to two months to vacate, as indicated in multiple prior notices.

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