High politics have started in Uttarakhand over the ongoing anti-encroachment drive. Both BJP and Congress leaders have started opposing the drive, by sensing the anger of the affected families.
It is estimated that over eleven thousand families are illegally staying on government land in Dehradun and they will become homeless to provide dent to political career of many.
In a move to provide temporary relief encroachers the Uttarakhand government announced forming an ordinance, on Wednesday, and under it no demolition drive will be conducted in slums for next three years.
Under the anti-encroachment drive demolition of illegal structures was carried out at Lansdown Chowk, Subhash Road, Darshanlal Chowk and Mussoorie diversion in Dehradun on Thursday.
Forty-nine illegal encroachments were demolished and 188 illegal encroachments were identified and one illegal building was sealed on Wednesday.
A total of 2887 illegal encroachments have been demolished, 5324 illegal encroachments have been identified and 108 buildings sealed during the anti-encroachment drive till 25 July.
Political leaders are passing through anxious moments as they were directly responsible for creating the illegal settlements for vote bank. Passing a judgment on a Public Interest Litigation, Uttarakhand high court directed the state government last month to remove encroachment from the Dehradun city.
Additional Chief Secretary Om Prakash said, “In pursuance of orders of High Court, the work to demolish illegal encroachments, identification and sealing of encroachments has been going on as per the rules. The orders of the honourable court to remove encroachments from Dehradun city are being followed in letter and spirit. I have instructed the officials that the work to remove the debris of the demolished buildings and boundary walls should be expedited so that there is no inconvenience during rains.”
The so-called ordinance more appears a lollipop.
Wary of facing public ire in the coming local body elections and Lok Sabha polls, the BJP was forced to express concern towards people illegally living on government land.
The four-week time provided by the Uttarakhand High Court ended on Thursday and now all eyes are at the court. The state government was to submit its statues report on the drive to the High Court on Thursday evening.