News: DTCP team attacked during demolition drive-23-12-2020
GURUGRAM: The enforcement team of the town and country planning department (DTCP) was attacked by villagers, when it tried to clear illegal colonies built over 20 acres in Kadarpur on Tuesday. Two drivers of earthmovers suffered serious injuries in the attack, said police.
A few DTCP staffers also suffered minor injuries when the villagers started hurling stones at them. The police have detained a few people for allegedly obstructing government officials from performing their duties.
The enforcement team led by district town planner RS Batth reached Kadarpur around 11.30am with earthmovers and a police team to clear the illegal colonies. During the drive, around 30 underconstruction buildings were razed in the illegal colony being developed on an agricultural plot in complete violation of the norms. The villagers, a police officer said, also damaged five earthmovers.
Batth, who also suffered injuries along with his security personnel, said the department received complaints alleging that the illegal colony was being developed on a 20-acre land and the builder had sold almost all the plots measuring 50, 100, 150 and 200 sq yards. “According to the complaint, the owners were constructing the houses on these plots,” he said.
Taking note of the development, the department served notices to the plot owners and directed them to restore the land, but they failed to furnish satisfactory replies and continued with the construction activities. “Out of the total number of plots, construction was going on around 30% plots,” Batth said.
Another DTCP official said when the department started the demolition drive and razed eight illegal buildings, around 200 villagers gathered at the site and started pelting stones at the team. “Two drivers, who suffered serious injuries, were rushed to the hospital. A few staff members were also injured,” he said.
Batth said additional police force was called to the spot and the drive was carried out in their presence. A total of 30 underconstruction buildings were demolished during the drive which lasted for around six hours.
