Media comes to Shaheen Bagh in bid to cover anti-encroachment drive in the area. But there was nothing like this as shopkeepers were seen removing their items since Thursday morning, said residents.
Media houses did stories on how shopkeepers removed their items in advance.
For the last many days residents have been expressing their concern over anti-encroachment drive in the locality. However, large number of netizens reacting on the OT report said they are in favour of anti-encroachment drive as it would decongest the locality. They have been complaining about mushrooming workshops and eateries and shop owners illegally occupying the road further narrowing it and causing traffic jam from time to time.
For the last many days, several YouTubers have been landing in the locality to gauge the mood of the public. In some videos uploaded on the social media it could be seen that many commoners are taking it as a move to demolish houses in the locality.
Anxiety gripped the locality when two days ago in a statement the SDMC announced to undertake action to remove illegal encroachments from government land.
“SDMC undertakes action to remove illegal encroachments from government land especially road side areas, pavements and footpaths in all four zones. During the course of action, SDMC teams removed vehicles lying unattended from road sides, illegally erected temporary structures while several as well as arterial roads were made free from encroachment.
“Usually, advance preparation in terms of monthly/weekly action plan for removal of illegal encroachments is put in place. Such advance preparation is a routine process and it helps in effective execution of the illegal encroachments removal plans through optimal deployment of police and other related law enforcement agencies. The Corporation intends to undertake such action in Vikaspuri, Keshopur, Sarita Vihar, Badarpur, Okhla, Greater Kailash, CR Park, Ambedkar Nagar, Dwarka, Palam, Vasant Kunj, Kapashera, etc in coming days,” it had said.
It would be interesting to see whether the drive will take place after shopkeepers have voluntarily shifted their items and vacating the road.
Also, according to a media report, an anti-encroachment drive of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) scheduled at Jasola and Sarita Vihar was cancelled due to the unavailability of adequate police force on Thursday, the civic authorities said.
“The drive at Jasola and Sarita Vihar has been cancelled due to the unavailability of adequate police force. The area SHO informed us that adequate police personnel cannot be provided for the drive due to the pre-engagement of the police staff in other law-and-order duties. The drive will be rescheduled accordingly,” said SDMC Mayor Mukesh Suryan as reported by the PTI.
According to IE report, the Delhi Police said ‘not possible’ to provide manpower for eviction drive in and around Sarita Vihar.
“Due to pre-engagement/pre-occupation of police staff of PS Sarita Vihar in other law and order/investigation duties, it is not possible to provide sufficient staff to assist SDMC staff in carrying out encroachment removal drive in ward no. 101-S today,” the Delhi Police replied to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (SDMC) letter asking for personnel.
“It is requested that prior intimation of at least 10 days may be given to fix the date for encroachment removal drive in the area of police station Sarita Vihar so that sufficient staff may be given to assist the SDMC staff,” the police added.
