Burail fencing probe ordered

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15: Mayor Gian Chand Gupta today ordered a probe to ascertain as to how and with whose permission the Municipal Corporati...

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15: Mayor Gian Chand Gupta today ordered a probe to ascertain as to how and with whose permission the Municipal Corporation employees had gone to fence the vacant municipal land in Burail, near the Sector 45 CHB flats, after the residents protested the move. The protesters also blocked traffic on the Sectors 44-45 road and the traders downed shutters. Following the protest, the MC staff was called back.

The Mayor, who had earlier visited the protest site, assured the residents that no fencing of the land would be resorted to in

Burail. He said it was a matter between the Chandigarh Housing Board and the villagers and the MC would not interfere. In a written note today, Gupta sought to know as to how and with what purpose the MC staff had gone to fence the area. Sources say that certain CHB allottees in the area had sought the permission of MC for maintaining the open space, and its fencing was blocking the entry of Burail residents. While officials claimed that the drive was routine, the villagers said the drive was in contravention of the court directive. "We will not allow the MC officials to grab our land adjoining the Lal Dora," a protester told Newsline.

Yesterday, the enforcement wing had removed fencing, hedges and boundary walls raised on parapets. Officials said the operation was by and large peaceful and the help of members of the Sector 45 Residents’ Welfare Association was also sought.

In the absence of adequate security arrangement, the anti-encroachment drive was suspended today. A senior MC official said the operation would be continued in Sector 44 tomorrow, subject to the availability of adequate police force.