A view of the recent demolitions in Jahangirpuri area in north Delhi
New Delhi: Following the drastic action of demolitions using bulldozers by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, and the apex court's intervention staying the same, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) says, it has identified several illegal encroachments in south Delhi in a move to conduct a demolition drive soon.
"We have prepared a plan and will soon take action against the major illegal encroachments that come under the jurisdiction of South Delhi Municipal Corporation," South Delhi Mayor Mukesh Suryan said.
Against the criticism that the North Delhi authorities did not give any notice to the alleged encroachers, or gave them a hearing about their side, Suryan also said that the civic body never serves notice to people before taking action against illegal encroachments.
Mentioning some of the areas that may in coming days see a demolition drive, the Mayor said there has been rapid illegal constructions on most of the government land in Okhla, Shaheen Bagh, Sarita Vihar, Sangam Vihar, Madanpur Khadar, Jasola Vihar etc.
The move by the south Delhi officials bear the undertones of possible opposition especially in the wake of the ruthless demolitions in the communal trouble-hit Jahangirpuri area of North MC on April 20 in which dwellers of homes and occupants of business establishments were thrown out of premises they had been occupying for decades.
Those hit by the demolitions then had included small booths and even the gate of a mosque. The operation was suspended after the Supreme Court ordered to maintain status quo. Even after the court issued the order, the officials continued it for over another hour saying the court order had not reached them. Subsequently, on the plea of the petitioners' lawyers, the Supreme Court served a strict warning and arranged to deliver the order.
The next day the top court said it would take a serious view of the action by the corporation functionaries.