Authorities launch massive demolition drive in Awantipora, victims say ‘no notice was issued’
BASHARAT RASHID
Awantipora, 9 November: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Raghav Langer, revenue officials, Police and Municipal Committee Awantipora launched a massive demolition drive on IUST road, in the Awantipora area of Pulwama on Monday.
Half a dozen bulldozers were pressed into the service, during the drive more than a dozen structures were razed down.
The displaced people expressed resentment against the authorities for launching this drive and said, “despite stay orders by the court, the structures including the shops and some houses were demolished and that no prior notice was issued to them before evicting them, adding that they have no alternative, where they can stay in this bone-chilling cold .”The aggrieved locals have demanded justice from the authorities and requested them to rehabilitate them before getting them displaced, keeping in view the weather conditions.
Tehsildar, Awantipora, Mohammad Maqbool however, said that the drive was launched on the directions of DC, with the motive to widen the road for the AIIMS, which is under construction.
He further said that authorities have already initiated a compensation process for those who were having structures on their own land, and added that the demolition drive will continue.
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