New Delhi: The administration of Gir Somnath district launched a huge anti-encroachment campaign and pulled down nine illegal religious structures, that were located behind Somnath temple and around Circuit House area. These illegal structures belonged to a minority community. The illegal constructions had come up on government land in Prabhas Patan town.
Sources said the drive was carried out amid heavy police presence and local resistance. The cops had to resort to lathi-charge to quell the protest and disperse the crowd.
Gir Somnath Superintendent of Police (SP) Manohar Singh Jadeja was quoted as saying by ANI that around 150 people were also detained during the operation.
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150 people detained
He pointed out that behind Somnath temple and the Circuit House, there were a number of encroachments built by anti-social elements. He added that the police department carried out the demolition drive along with local administration. As many as 1,400 police personnel were deployed for the operation and around 150 people detained. Cases are being registered against those detained. The main market of Prabhas Patan has been shut.
The 12-hour campaign started at 5am on Saturday and is being supervised by SPs from three adjacent districts. Gir Somnath Collector Digvijay Singh Jadeja pointed out that nine illegal religious constructions were razed during the campaign. He told the news agency that even though notices were issued, those occupying these structures were not willing to clear their encroachments, and therefore, the administration had to demolish them.
He added that nine illegal religious structures and 45 musafir khanas (travellers’ inn) were razed. The government land, valued at Rs 320 crore, has been cleared after due procedures, the collector said. A total of 102 acres have already been cleared.
Proper procedure followed
The authorities adhered to proper procedure and issued notices to occupants of the illegal structures before demolishing them. The occupants were given adequate time to vacate the structures as the administration has extended the notice period. A 5km stretch between Bhidiya GIDC Circle and Shankh Circle was blocked by the cops to ensure law and order was maintained.
As many as 35 earthmovers, 10 trucks and 50 tractors, for the campaign were deployed, a source told Times of India. The source added that it won’t be possible to clear the rumbles in a single day.
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