Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met Cant MLA Harbans Kapur at his residence on Saturday and discussed with him possible measures for the rehabilitation of the people affected by the ongoing anti- encroachment drive. Meanwhile, the High Court-ordered anti-encroachment drive continued in sensitive Prem Nagar area for the second consecutive day on Saturday.
During the meeting, the MLA raised issues like rehabilitation of the people affected by anti- encroachment drive, compensation for the affected, development of new market places, opening of new industrial units and ways to provide self- employment to the affected people. The MLA said that the CM had given him a patient hearing and assured of serious consideration of the suggestions put by him. The president of Mahanagar BJP, Vinay Goyal was also present on the occasion.
Demolition drive continues
Meanwhile, the district administration continued its drive in Prem Nagar area on Saturday as over 60 encroachments were removed on the day. The local people and the shopkeepers who had been aggressive a day earlier remained mute on Saturday as heavy machines went on the demolition spree. To register their protest, the shopkeeper had held a 'sit in' at Prem Nagar. To express solidarity with the shopkeepers, the senior BJP leader and Cant MLA, Harbans Kapur also sat on the dharna.
In a massive exercise, the administration had demolished 155 encroachments in Prem Nagar area on Friday. To quell the angry protestors, the police had resorted to lathi- charge after which the entire illegal market of Prem Nagar was razed.