New Delhi: A clash ensued between Bihar police and locals during an anti-encroachment drive at Nepali Colony in Rajeev Nagar, Patna. Police used tear gas shells to disperse the locals. As per inputs, administrative officers with a large police force reached Rajeev Nagar on Sunday morning and started demolishing illegal houses. 14 bulldozers have been installed at the spot for the drive. When the illegal constructions were being razed in Rajeev Nagar, the angry residents attacked the police team and the situation became tense thereafter.
City SP (Central) Patna, Ambrish Rahul, was injured in the clash between Police and locals during the anti-encroachment drive, news agency ANI reported.
District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh informed that the administration had identified 40 acres of area for the anti-encroachment drive. "Locals gathered, pelted stones. Some policemen and SP city were injured. The area is now in control. The process will continue till the zone is encroachment free."
"While 5000 residents live here, only 90 applications were received of whom only 9 accepted. No one has any paperwork. Land mafia is involved as this is prime land. We've advertised no sale/buying of this land is permitted, however, parallel sales are going on," he added.
Unconfirmed inputs stated that seven people set themselves ablaze in protest and sustained injuries.
The district administration had reportedly directed 70 houses to be vacated within the prescribed limit and the demolition was slated to take place if the houses were not vacated.
In the past, Rajeev Nagar residents had also gheraoed the residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Tarkishore Prasad. Revenue Minister Ramsurat Rai maintained that bulldozers will raze structures built illegally.
Following the orders of the Patna High Court, several initiatives were undertaken by the administration to demolish the illegal constructions in Patna's Rajeev Nagar area, but each time the move was postponed due to the locals' protests.