Surat: The authorities carried out an anti-encroachment drive in Surat’s Saiyedpura area on Monday, hours after reports of stones throwing at a Ganesh pandal in the locality. Six minors, accused of throwing stones, were later detained in the incident.
Tensions had further gripped the area on Sunday night after a mob of close to over 200 persons gheraoed the police station in the area and pelted stones to protest against the detention of the minors. Apart from these six minors, the police have also arrested 28 people in the case.
Officials issue clarification
Authorities have, however, clarified that the anti-encroachment drive in the locality had nothing to do with the violence that occurred Sunday but was decided earlier. According to the city’s Deputy Mayor Narendra Patil, the anti-encroachment drive was planned nearly two weeks back. He added that the problem of encroachment which was going on for a long time area and that the local corporators complained about it. The authorities have also pressed a bulldozer into action by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to raze illegal concrete and temporary constructions and remove handcarts of street vendors in the area.
‘Locals faced difficulties’
Sharing further details to news agency PTI, the official further said that the decision to take action against the encroachment was taken in a meeting around two weeks back. Patil added that while the area was worst affected by the menace, all four corporators requested authorities for the action. He further added that people were finding it difficult to walk in the area due to the encroachment.
In the meantime, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anil Patil praised the authorities’ action and said the government must ensure tough action against those causing rioting without any kind of provocation.