SMC calls off demolition drive

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 1: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) today had to call off its demolition drive in the Hyderpora area here as a group of persons attacked the demolition team that was carrying out demolition of some ‘illegal’ shops in the area.
Meanwhile, SMC suspended the ward officer of the area along with the building inspector on the complaint that the official was hand in glove with the ‘violator’ who had raised illegal construction in the area.
The SMC authorities also registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a group of persons at police station Sadar alleging that the group of civilians attacked the SMC staff and also interfered in their drive to demolish the ‘illegal’ shops in the Gulberg Colony of the Hyderpora. The operation had to be called off midway even though some of the shops were demolished.
As the team was busy in its operation a group of persons led by Nazir objected to the drive and said the drive is illegal with the shops being legal. The demolition squad asked to come up with the supporting documents in case they want the drive to be stopped.
However, the points raised by the demolition squad did not go well with the group of persons and they started to interfere in the demolition drive. Some of them went on to the shops and said the demolition can be carried out only after their death. Despite strong resistance and opposition the demolition squad demolished some of the shops.
As the group of persons manhandled some of the members of the demolition squad the demolition drive had to be called off. The calling off of the demolition drive led to order in the area and there was no more further trouble.
Meanwhile, Commissioner SMC, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Qasba has appealed the people not to violate master plan norms and do away with the illegal constructions.