Crackdown On Squatters: More On Anvil 100 Shops Razed In Bhopal’s Motinagar Basti | FP Photo
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A major anti-encroachment drive was carried out in Motinagar Basti on Sunday, which saw demolition of 100 shops and set the stage for razing of 384 houses. The operation, aimed at clearing space for the third lane of Subhash Nagar Bridge and a new railway track, started at 6 am and concluded by 2 pm.
The authorities, mobilising around 1,000 officials from district administration, police, BMC and railways, removed the shops by 11 am, followed by clearing the debris using more than 50 loading vehicles. To ensure that the operation proceeded without disruption, police imposed strict restrictions on the area, setting up barricades 1 km in all directions and closing the Subhash Nagar Bridge till 1 pm.
This heavy deployment of law enforcement was meant to prevent any protests or disturbances. A total of 10 JCBs, 2 large Poclains, 25 dumpers and 10 tractor-trolleys were used for the demolition work. In a bid to curb tension in the area, Congress leader Manoj Shukla was placed under house arrest.
FP Photo
On February 6, the district administration had issued an ultimatum to residents and shopkeepers, instructing them to vacate, with many complying after receiving persuasion from officials. Movement in and around the area was tightly controlled, with barricades at Rachna Nagar, Raisen Road, Subhash Nagar, and Bogda Bridge preventing public access.
Media personnel were also restricted, while a marriage procession was escorted through the barricades by police after verifying credentials. The operation was led by Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh along with SDMs LK Khare, Archana Rawat, Ravi Shankar Rai and Ravish Srivastava.
Tehsildars, naib tehsildars and revenue inspectors were also stationed on-site. Authorities confirmed that demolition of houses will continue in the coming days, with heightened security measures to manage any further opposition.
MP Nagar demolition
MP Nagar SDM LK Khare informed Free Press that the operation targeted 42 shops built on railway land and 58 shops located on PWD land. He further said that 150 officials from the district administration, approximately 80 railway officials, about 100 BMC officials, and more than 700 policemen were deployed to ensure the smooth execution of the proceedings.
