Slum dwellers along with other locals on Wednesday strongly protested the eviction drive conducted by a joint team of BMC, BDA, GA Department and the Commissionerate Police at Rental Colony here.
Before the protest, the joint team had demolished about wooden cabins, two thatched houses and two AC-sheeted houses constructed on Government land in and around Rental Colony under Baramunda mouza in the city.
After getting eviction drive information, about 100 to 150 people led by the local corporator protested the enforcement squad and urged not to demolish their houses as these were coming under the RAY Scheme.
As per instruction of the BMC officials, who were deputed to identify the RAY beneficiaries said all the structures available inside the Rental Colony were coming under the RAY Scheme. So, the eviction programme could not be carried out, said the officials.
The eviction programme was stopped at 2 pm, informed BDA liaison Officer Subhransu Sekhar Mohanty.
Two platoons of gents APR force, one section of lady force and
OSSF personnel were deployed at the site to maintain law and order during the demolition drive.