Municipal Corporation's Eviction Drive Turns Violent in Ludhiana

Ludhiana (Pb), May 17 (PTI) Tension gripped Giaspura locality here today after a drive launched by the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL) to remove illegal occupants from the area turned violent.

A team of the corporation led by Executive Engineer (XEN) Karamjit Singh reached the site to get the flats with illegal occupants vacated.

A mob gathered at the area and one among them started climbing a pole near a power transformer in Block C and threatened to commit suicide if the drive was not stopped, the police said.

Sunny (19) threatened the corporation officials that he would jump from the pole if the drive was not halted immediately, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Sharma said.

The boy, however, lost his balance and fell on the high tension wires underneath, he said.

The victim was rushed to the DMC hospital, where he is stated to be out of danger, the police said.

Angry locals gheraoed the corporation officials and attacked them with sticks and other objects, they said.

Karamjit Singh got multiple injuries on his legs, arms, head and face in the attack. Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Kulwinder Singh was also severely hurt in the incident. Assistant Town Planner Sangeeta rushed to a flat for shelter, but her car was smashed by the mob, the police said.

The ADCP said an FIR has been registered against 100 to 150 unidentified persons under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from duty), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 427 (mischief causing damage to amount of fifty rupees or more) and 186 (obstructing public servant from discharge of public functions) on the statement of Karamjit.

The corporation had last week served eviction notices to around 240 families in Giaspura stating that they were living in flats (constructed for urban poor) without legal allotment.

Of the 240 families, around 150 families refused to vacate the flats claiming that the corporation officials had 'promised' to allot them flats legally.

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