Shift ammunition depot, demands NGO

Gurgaon, Feb 8 (PTI) Amid protests against a move toraze colonies within 900-metre radius of the Air Forceammunition depot, an NGO today demanded that the depot beshifted away from residential area.

The NGO ''People''s Voice'' opposed the proposeddemolition saying it would mainly affect middle andlower-middle class families.

"In the over-all interests and safety of the people,the ammunition depot must be shifted to a remote place, awayfrom human habitation," NGO''s chairman Mr S P Gupta said.

"If at all it is not possible to shift it immediately,the Defence Ministry must be persuaded to reduce therestricted zone from 900 metres to 100 metres in the largerinterests of the people," Gupta said.

It alleged that the state Town and Country Planningdepartment was "directly responsible for creating this mess,by allowing construction of government buildings in the closevicinity of ammunition depot and not taking timely actionagainst the unauthorised constructions".

It demanded strict action against erring officials.

Over 4000 residents of colonies located around theammunition depot blocked the Atul Kataria Chowk here yesterdayprotesting against the administration''s plans to demolishtheir colonies.

The administration, however, claimed that thesecolonies have been constructed illegally and it is bound tofollow the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court todemolish them.