Jalandhar MC demolishes illegal buildings at 2 places

JALANDHAR: After Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu made it clear on Friday that action against illegal colonies and buildings would continue not withstanding opposition by Jalandhar (West) MLA Sushil Rinku, the Jalandhar municipal corporation on Saturday partly demolished shops built near bus stand and a big commercial building in Green Model Town area. With no politician coming forward to oppose the demolition, it was the building owners who resisted the drive. They were handled by the police accompanying the demolition team.

The area where demolitions were carried out falls in Jalandhar Cantonment constituency and its MLA Pargat Singh has already taken strong stand against illegal colonies and buildings being constructed in violation of building bylaws. He was the only local MLA who accompanied Sidhu during his surprise checking. He said that he had been asking Jalandhar MC commissioner Basant Garg and building branch officials to take action in the matter, but they had failed to do so. The MC team led by executive engineer (B&R) Rajnish Dogra first undertook demolition of around 15 shops, which had been recently constructed. There was some resistance from the stakeholders, but police controlled them. Later a big commercial building was damaged to the extent using an earthmoving machine that it can't be used. The building was dismantled earlier also, but it was reconstructed. Other two MLAs from Jalandhar - Bawa Henry and Rajinder Beri - have maintained complete silence on the issue.