Shastri Nagar 'kabaristan' encroachments removed

JAIPUR: Encroachments on the controversial Shastri Nagar graveyard land were removed by the district administration amid tight security on Thursday.

A similar drive on the land in 1997 had led to riots in the city, claiming seven lives.

For the first time, a drone camera was used in the city to carry out an aerial survey before initiating the anti-encroachment drive on the land which was under litigation for the past 21 years.

Following Rajasthan High Court directions, a joint operation was carried out by the district administration and Jaipur Development Authority (JDA to raze the encroachments. To prevent protests, a huge posse of police was deployed along with riot gear at the graveyard.

According to officials, out of the total 363 encroachments, 361 were demolished along with 50 shops situated on 39 bighas and 18 biswa land. "All the structures were removed, expect two that had obtained a court stay. Five shops, situated outside the mosque, were also handed over to the Waqf board," a senior district administration official said.

As over 800 police personnel were deployed, the encroachers voluntarily removed their belongings.

According to an official, encroachers had constructed 363 houses on 40 bighas of land. Out of this, 156 house owners had already given consent letters for rehabilitation. "These encroachers will be rehabilitated in houses constructed under the Basic Services of Urban Poor (BSUP) programme at Anandlok on Sikar Road. Possession will be given to affected owners after they deposit 10% of the amount mentioned on the allotment letter," the official said.