BJP govt uses bulldozer again; demolition drive targets encroachments in Gujarat’s Himmatnagar

GANDHINAGAR: The government has begun a demolition drive in Gujarat after Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. The civic authorities have carried out a demolition drive against illegal encroachments in Gujarat’s Himmatnagar, following the violence that occurred during the Ram Navami celebrations.

“As part of removing encroachments in Chhapariya locality of Himmatnagar city in Sabarkantha district, we have removed three to four kiosks, two to three shanties and a two-storey shop building on T P Road in Chhaparia,” said Navneet Patel, chief municipal officer of Himmatnagar.

“About three metres of the 15-metre road was encroached on by the building owners who had extended illegal construction. We had sent notices in 2020. It was a routine anti-encroachment drive and nothing to do with the incidents that occurred on April 10. We will continue to take similar action in other areas as well,” Patel added.

The demolition drive neither has any link with the incident during the Ram Navami celebrations nor with anyone involved in the violence, said the police. The two-storey building, which was also demolished, belongs to Ashrafnagar Jamaat, a local socio-religious organization in Himmatnagar. “The building had a cigarette shop, an electricity repair shop and a groceries shop. It is correct that the municipality had sent us notice in 2020 regarding a three-metre extension. On Monday, local officials told us about the drive. Today, we helped them remove the extended portion,” said Kalumiya Shaikh, a member of the Jamaat. Conflicts had erupted in these places on April 10, Ram Navami Day, after which the police had arrested 22 persons in connection with the incident.

Violence had erupted in New Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, in connection with Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. Following this, the government's move to evacuate the conflict-affected areas in all these states had led to a great controversy. The current incident in Gujarat comes amid the backdrop of all these events.