Protests against demolition drive at Kalka

Kalka (Haryana), Mar 18 (ANI): Kalka, a town on the Panchkula Shimla stretch of the Nationla Highway in Haryana witnessed violent protest by the residents against the district administration's decision to carry out demolitions in the main market.

The demolition drive is being carried out by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) as per the directives of the Supreme Court.

The engineers of NHAI are widening the existing National Highway and the encroachments had created hurdles in the execution of the project.

However, the residents and occupants of the encroachments in the neighbourhood of the market alleged that the authorities were guilty of flouting the court's orders since residential premises were also pulled down and damaged during the demolition drive.

"The Government of Haryana has deployed a large police force and blocked the roads from all the directions so that traffic won't come. I think the policy has pre-planned to create confusion in Kalka," said Sardar Bhag Singh, a resident.

Meanwhile, on their part, the officials of the NHAI contended that they were strictly adhering to the court's directives in the matter.

"According to the orders of Supreme Court, we are removing the encroachments. We will file the status record and report it to the Supreme Court. We are carrying our work as per the court's directives," said P Dahiya, Director of Projects, NHAI.

On January 31, the NHAI and local administration had initiated action to clear the illegal structures at Kalka.

Raising objections to the drive, the residents obtained a stay order from the Supreme Court and it was valid till February 10.

Later, the apex court ordered that the NHAI could proceed with the demolition drive without damaging original structures. (ANI)