A large number of structures in Mandi town were dismantled during the ongoing “operation demolition” of the unauthorised structures launched by the Nagar Parishad since last week in compliance with the orders of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
“People are questioning how the illegal structures were allowed to come up in the town in the first place and why the accountability and action has not been taken against the guilty for the avoidable loss of property allegedly constructed in connivance with the managers of the Nagar Parishad and the district officials. The role of the political leaders in power is also not ruled out,” said the insiders.
It is being alleged that those who raised unauthorised buildings greased the palms of the corrupt officials and Nagar Parishad and district administration who were supposed to keep an eye on the shady deals.
Officials said as of now the high court is seized with the matter. The question of fixing liability is also likely to come up before the court.
Encroachers whose big structures were bulldozed alleged that Mandi is not the only town of the State where illegal buildings had been raised as almost every town of the State, Government and municipal lands have been grabbed and illegal structures built thereon.