The Hindu : Eviction drive in Srinagar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2003

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Eviction drive in Srinagar

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU JAN. 20. A massive drive by the Housing and Urban Development Ministry to rid Srinagar of encroachments has brought about a change among the people, who have started removing illegal structures voluntarily.

The step, which has been widely appreciated by the public, brought into focus the lawlessness and lack of accountability which had crept into the system in the past several years. Barring some resistance in the Maisuma area, which is seen as the bastion of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Yasin Malik, the drive has continued unhindered. The Srinagar Municipality and the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), which were entrusted with the `Operation Clean Up', are content with the results of their work thus far.

The drive started early this month in Peerbagh, Hyderpora and Rawlpora, where the people had taken the "law into their own hands'' but not without conniving with the law enforcing agencies. It came as a surprise for those who thought they were "above law''. But when the grand mansions started falling, the word went around that `all was not well this time''. Amid allegations that "influential people'' had been spared, these two agencies went ahead and demolished hundreds of shops and houses. The Administrator of Srinagar municipality had to give the "go ahead'' for demolishing structures belonging to his brother. Most surprising is the action by shopkeepers in the congested Maharaja Bazaar, Lal Chowk and Hari Singh High Street in the heart of the city. Armed with hammers, chisels and iron rods, they were seen demolishing what they erected themselves in the last few years. Masons and labourers had been engaged in many areas to accomplish the task, as Government vehicles fitted with mikes warn the encroachers of punishment if the illegal constructions are not removed in the next few days. As the Maharaja Bazaar gave a different look today, people were all praise for the demolition drive. But, at the same time, they demanded action against municipal officials who they say had taken bribes to allow the constructions in the first place.

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Eviction drive in Srinagar