100 jhuggis razed in Karsan

Chandigarh, May 3: Over 100 structures were razed in clean-up operations in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony also known as Karsan Colony, here today. The demolitions which began at 10 in the morning lasted till about 5 pm. The operations began yesterday when about 250 jhuggis were removed by the Enforcement Wing of the Estate Office. Besides, about 50 pucca structures were also torn down.

With most of the residents of the colony having shifted to the Rehabilitation Complex, the colony wore a deserted look today. The officials hope to clear the area of all illegal structures by tomorrow after which the site will be handed over to the Engineering Department. The allottees have been asked to construct their houses within nine months and also have been permitted to build temporary structures on the site for immediate requirement.

About 100 labourers stormed the site this morning before they went about their job. Tehsildars D.S. Baloria and K.S. Gill, accompanied by Deputy Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh supervised the operations. A large posse of police was also deployed. Meanwhile, some jhuggi dwellers resented that they had no where to go as they had not been given any land. The Administration, on the other hand, maintained that most of the eligible residents have been accommodated.