HC weight behind demolition drive

The court also took note of the violence that broke out in Vadodara on Monday over the demolition of a dargah, in particular the mob attack on the Nyaymandir courthouse. It has asked the Vadodara police commissioner to submit a report.

The court has directed the state government to issue immediate instructions to the police department to provide full protection to demolition squads so as to avoid what happened in Vadodara.

If the need arises, those likely to disrupt peace should be booked before carrying out demolition drives, the court said. Those obstructing such drives are usually land-grabbers.

Listing some illegal religious structures in and around Ahmedabad, the court said encroachment on public space should not be permitted or tolerated 8216;8216;even for a minute.8217;8217;

Only a 8216;8216;handful of anti-social elements8217;8217; with money and muscle power put up religious structures overnight and then start minting money while putting the public to great inconvenience, it said.

MHA: Vadodara killings could8217;ve been avoided

NEW DELHI: Minister of State of Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, after a daylong tour to Vadodara and close scrutiny of the chain of events that resulted in clashes between the police and members of a community, was convinced that the killings could have been prevented if the authorities had shown a bit of 8220;sensitivity8221;.

Briefing reporters on his return, Jaiswal said the entire episode could have been avoided through negotiations. 8220;It was quite an old shrine and sentiments were attached to it. The police could have resorted to other methods that would not have resulted in the killings,8221; he said.

His assessment will be compiled into a report and shortly submitted to Home Minister Shivraj Patil.