Massive demolition drive carried out in South Kashmir amid chill

Awantipora, Nov 25: Under the road-widening plan, District Administration Pulwama Wednesday conducted a massive demolition drive to clear the ‘encroachments’ and ‘illegal constructions’ on Srinagar-Islamabad Highway.
Amid chill and rain, the massive demolition drive was conducted near Khar Mode and its adjoining areas in Awantipora.
Witnessed told news agency KNT that dozens of concrete structures including shops and houses were razed to ground amid public resentment.
The drive was headed by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Raghav Langer. The officers present on the occasion included ADC Awantipora Zaffar Hussain Shawl, Tehsildar Awantipora Muhammad Maqbool, Executive Officer Municipal Committee Awantipora besides local police.
Earlier this month, over dozen structures, were demolished in the same area. An official said that this massive demolition drive has been carried out for road widening purpose. “It will be called AIIMS Road while construction within 110 feet of this road has already been prohibited.”
Meanwhile, locals said that the government served eviction notices to them two days ago and today this demolition drive was carried out against their wishes. “We have already suffered a lot and now this demolition drive of our shops has rendered us completely jobless,” said Showkat Ahmed.
The official said that the district administration had already advised the people to remove encroachments on their own and when they didn’t budge this demolition drive was carried out. (KNT)