Uttarakhand: Kathbangla colony turned into a cantonment in Dehradun, bulldozers ran on encroachment, 26 houses were razed to the ground in front of eyes

MDDA took action against illegal encroachments in Kathbangala colony on the banks of Rispana river and demolished 26 houses with JCB. They saved every penny and built houses on government land on the banks of the river, but when the houses started falling during the action, it seemed as if not their houses, but their dreams were breaking in front of their open eyes.

During this time, the colony was transformed into a cantonment. Due to heavy police force, the protest of various organizations and people could not stop the action. During the action that lasted for about five hours, people kept questioning MDDA and the government while crying and expressing anger. While the officials kept referring to the list prepared on the basis of investigation, people kept accusing of discrimination in the action.

As per the pre-scheduled program, on Monday, at around 10 am, MDDA officials reached Kathbangala colony located on the banks of Rispana river on Canal Road with half a dozen JCBs and a large number of police and PAC personnel.

As soon as JCBs arrived one after the other raising dust on the rough roads, people panicked. Workers of various political organizations and people of the colony stood in front of the JCBs.

They demanded to see the documents of the buildings with the people being legal and to be given time, but the officials said that the list has been prepared only after investigation. Therefore, no time will be given now.

After this, the police force took charge and the JCB started its work. One by one, 26 houses were demolished by 3 pm. During this time, homeless people were seen crying and wailing everywhere, sometimes showing anger and sometimes pleading. It is being told that action is still pending on more than 100 houses.

MDDA Vice President Banshidhar Tiwari said that the officers have been instructed to demolish only illegal buildings. The campaign will continue for the next two-three days until the action is completed.