Encroachers set ablaze houses opposing eviction drive

Jamshedpur, Apr 13 (UNI) The residents of Golmuri area here today set ablaze several houses opposing the eviction drive launched by the East Singhbhum district administration.

The police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the violent encroachers.

Police said, as the district administration along with the Jusco officials began demolition of about 200 houses this morning, the agitated mob set on fire the slums and started pelting them with stones and bricks.

Three fire tenders were engaged to douse the flames.

The anti-encroachment drive began as several bulldozers were used to demolish the illegally constructed houses.

Senior police officials and the district administrative officers, including Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer R K Sharma were on the spot to supervise the drive, being carried out on the orders of Jharkhand High Court.

The district administration had begun the eviction drive from April 11 and demolished hundreds of illegal constructions at Bistupur and Sakchi areas.

UNI