After Jahangirpuri, Demolition Drive Begins In Gujarat Over Ram Navami Violence: What We Know

Civic authorities have started a demolition drive against illegal structures in Gujarat's Himmatnagar city, where a communal clash had broken out during the Ram Navami celebration earlier this month, officials told news agency PTI.

Bulldozers were being used to remove encroachments in Chhapariya locality of Himmatnagar city in Sabarkantha district, they said.

"The municipality has started carrying out demolition in Chhapariya locality, which is close to where the communal clash had erupted on Ram Navami. Adequate security has been deployed in the area," Superintendent of Police Vishal Vaghela said.

Communal clash during Ram Navmi procession

A communal clash had broken out near Chhapariya area during a Ram Navami procession on April 10, when members from two communities resorted to throwing stones, leaving some people injured. Some vehicles were also set on fire during the clash.

#Gujarat. Weeks after communal violence during Ram Navami civic authority in Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district has started demolition drive to clear encroachment. Few of the properties-shops & houses-belong to some of the persons booked for violence @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/dAUUml9ykI

¡ª satish jha. (@satishjha) April 26, 2022

The Anand district administration had also earlier carried out a demolition drive using bulldozers to remove structures owned by people allegedly involved in communal clashes in Khambhat town there during the Ram Navami celebration.

On April 10, a Ram Navami procession was also allegedly pelted with stones in Khambhat town. One person was killed and several others were injured in the ensuing violence.

Jahangirpuri Ram Navmi violence

A demolition drive was launched in Jahangirpuri after violence on Ran Navmi. However, the Supreme Court ordered the authorities to maintain the status-quo in Jahangirpuri, where the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) was carrying out an 'anti-encroachment drive'.

Senior lawyer Dushyant Dave mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana.

Dave said the NDMC's actions were unconstitutional.

Siasat Daily

"Completely unauthorised and unconstitutional demolition has been ordered in the Jahangirpuri area...with no notice to anybody," Dave said.

Following the SC order, the NDMC which had started demolishing illegally constructed slums and shops in the area said it will follow the top court's direction.

Zone Chairman of Civil Lines, Northwest Delhi, Naveen Tyagi said, "These people do encroachment and also do 'goondagardi'. Some of them are also named in the riots."

However, several videos posted on social media showed the demolition continuing even one hour after the SC order.

While the Civic Body had termed the drive as against illegal encroachments, many had alleged that the BJP-ruled NDMC was following the pattern of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat where recently bulldozers were used to demolish alleged illegal encroachments owned by those involved in rioting during Ram Navami processions.

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