50 Bulldozers, 2,000 Policemen Carry Out Largest Anti-Encroachment Drive In Ahmedabad; Clear Hutments In Muslim-Majority Area

On Tuesday (29 April), in the predominantly Muslim region of Chandola Lake in Ahmedabad, the local government and law enforcement initiated a large-scale demolition operation. This follows the recent detention of around 6,500 individuals, primarily Muslims, who were alleged to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is leading the demolition drive, with approximately 2,000 police officers on site to ensure law and order, according to Police Commissioner G S Malik. The force is under the direction of the Joint Commissioner of Police-Crime, Sharad Singhal.

Upon arriving at the lake to assess the demolition drive, Malik informed the press that a state of 'alert' had been declared at all city police stations. This was done in anticipation of any potential situations arising from the demolition activities at Chandola Lake.

As per The New Indian Express, Singhal mentioned that the AMC initiated the campaign early in the day with 50 groups, each outfitted with an earthmover machine.

"The last demolition drive at Chandola Lake was carried out in 2009. Recently, a survey conducted by the AMC revealed that government land had been encroached upon again, and shanties were constructed around the lake. Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants lived in areas like Siyasatnagar and Bengali Vaas surrounding this lake," he said.

Malik reports that an FIR is being filed against Mehmood Pathan, also known as Lallu Bihari, who is suspected to be the chief instigator of the encroachment on government property at Chandola Lake.

According to officials, he is also purported to have assisted illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in securing rental housing and Aadhaar cards.

20 companies of the State Reserve Police (SRP) are there to assist the AMC in clearing illegal constructions at Chandola Lake, which includes areas like Siyasatnagar and Bengali Vaas. Police in the entire city have also been put on alert and strict action will be taken if anyone tries to take the law into their hands, Malik said.

He asserted that the minority community living close to the lake is urging the authorities to act against Bangladeshi immigrants residing in unlawful settlements.

“More than 2,000 residential encroachments will be removed and it will vacate more than 1.25 lakh sq m of land. More than 50 bulldozers and trucks accompanied by 500 estate department staffers along with medical staffers, fire department staffers and those from other departments are working at the scene. It has been carried out legally because water bodies are considered sacrosanct and cannot be encroached upon by any means,” Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani told Indian Express.