Major anti-encroachment drive observed

Nashik, Dec 17 (UNI) A major anti-encroachment drive was observed in Yeola here.

As many as 70 unauthorised constructions, including 56 shops, were demolished in this drive undertaken yesterday. The drive to remove these encroachments on city survey No. 3807 land, belonging to the Yeola Municipal Council was undertaken as per the High Court orders. The Yeola Municipal Corporation and Public Works Department jointly observed this drive.

The drive started early in the morning and continued till late night. Huge police security was in place during the operation.

One Deepak Patodkar, a citizen, had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Mumbai High Court on April 19, 2007, regarding the encroachments. Following this, the High Court had given the orders to remove the encroachments within seven days from the day of order, July 5, 2007.

These orders were challenged by the people doing business in these 56 shops in the Supreme Court but their appeal was rejected.

The Mumbai High Court then again ordered to remove these encroachments till December 5 and demanded that a report be submitted regarding it. Again the businessmen went to the Supreme Court and got a stay till November 30 on the High Court order.

During the hearing on November 30 they withdrew their appeal.

On December 12, the Mumbai High Court had asked the Yeola Municipal Council, why the action to remove the encroachments was not taken and ordered them to submit a report on this till December 19. Following these developments the anti-encroachment drive was observed yesterday. Many shop-owners had removed their encroachments on Saturday itself.

UNI