147 illegal structures razed in Junagadh

The demolition drive,which began on the road linking Majewadi Gate to Dharagadh area and affected 800 members of 147 families,created uproar in the area,they said.

Atul Makwana,the JMC official supervising the drive,said 147 illegal structures have been razed and the work of removing the debris is in progress.

According to H P Shukla,the deputy municipal commissioner of JMC,no untoward incident has been reported since the commencement of the drive. He said the issue regarding allotment of 25 sq yard land to the affected people is under consideration of the authorities.

Amina Gaffar,one of the affected women,said they had no shelter and no option. “We are homeless,” she said.

Kehrunben Theba (65) is a widow who lives with her two widowed daughters-in-law. “We are poor and helpless. For over a decade we have lived here and now we will have to bear the night chill outside,” she said.

Batuk Makwana,CPM office-bearer,said the affected should immediately be given shelter. Besides,the JMC should also give them land for building homes.

“If the JMC wanted to widen the road,then they should have carried out the demolition drive only on the required land. But unfortunately,their drive has rendered hundreds of people homeless,” he said.

Makwana has described the JMC drive as anti-poor. He said the nexus between the builder lobby and the officials stopped the authorities from taking any action against dozens of illegal commercial constructions existing in the heart of the city.