High drama was witnessed near Ambala Cantonment today as the enforcement wing of the Town and Country Planning Department moved in to demolish an illegal colony. Despite stiff resistance from property owners and residents, the administration continued its drive against unauthorized constructions.
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Bulldozer Action: The demolition team arrived at the spot with two large bulldozers early in the day. Within a few hours, 15 houses that were in different stages of construction were completely razed. The team also demolished the road network and sewerage pipes laid by the colonizers.
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Protests and Clashes: As the bulldozers began their work, local residents and those who had invested in the plots gathered in large numbers. They tried to block the path of the machines and entered into heated arguments with the officials. Protesters alleged that they had spent their life savings on these small houses and accused the department of ignoring big illegal buildings while targeting the poor.
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Official Statement: District Town Planner (DTP) officials stated that the colony was being developed without any valid license or permission from the government. They clarified that several notices had been issued to the land owners in the past, but the construction work did not stop, forcing the department to take this step.
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Police Presence: To prevent the protest from turning violent, a heavy police contingent from the local Ambala Cantt police stations was stationed at the site. A few protesters were briefly detained to allow the demolition to be completed.
