By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 2 Dec: The Supreme Court’s decision on the encroached land in Banbhulpura, Haldwani, which was widely expected to be delivered today, has been deferred to 10 December now. The administration, which had already completed extensive preparations in anticipation of the verdict, had deployed heavy police force across the area. SSP, Nainital, Manjunath TC, stated that foolproof security arrangements have been ensured, and 23 individuals allegedly planning to instigate unrest have been arrested.
The Supreme Court will now pass verdict on the case concerning the encroachment on 30 hectares of Railway Department land in Banbhulpura on 10 December while some lawyers claimed that the next hearing will now be held on 9 December.
In view of the earlier expectation that the verdict would be pronounced today, the administration had effectively transformed Banbhulpura into heavily guarded garrison, deploying the police and PAC personnel at various critical points and diverting traffic routes.
Though the hearing has now been deferred, the entire area continues to be under surveillance through seven drone cameras. Yesterday, the police acted promptly and arrested 21 miscreants while taking preventive action against 121 others. The SSP has warned that anyone conspiring to incite riots would be sent straight to jail. He added that social media platforms are being closely monitored, and some anti-social elements were also detained today.
Extensive law and order arrangements have been made as a precaution. Three SPs, four COs, over eight Inspectors, eight SHOs/SOs, more than 400 police personnel, and two companies of PAC along with Fire Units, Firing Squads, and Tear Gas Squads, remain deployed across Banbhulpura. Based on field assessment, a total of 23 people have been arrested in preventive detention for allegedly gathering resources and mobilising crowds to disturb peace and create trouble. Continuous monitoring of social media is under way, and anyone attempting to spoil the atmosphere will be identified and dealt with firmly.
SSP Manjunath TC emphasised that the Constitution and the supremacy of the Court prevail in the country, and any attempt to comment, criticise, react, or incite violence regarding the Court’s order, whether on the ground or on social media, would be treated as an act of aggression. He said the police would take strict legal action with heavy force if necessary. Paramilitary forces have also been kept on standby, and discussions have taken place with the ITBP and CRPF. The PHQ, Kumaon Range, and the government administration are directly monitoring the situation, and action will be taken at very short notice if required.
It may be recalled that the case has been pending in the Supreme Court since 2023. Earlier, the Nainital High Court, while hearing a PIL, had ordered the eviction of all encroachments from the Railway land having an estimated area of around 30 acres. Following the HC judgement, the Railway administration, with the help of the district administration, had attempted to carry out the eviction, but the exercise was halted due to strong protests and the residents approaching the Supreme Court. Since then, the case has remained under consideration by the apex court.
It may be reminded here that the encroached 30 hectares are estimated to accommodate 3,660 permanent houses, with more than five thousand families residing there. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 people live in the area.
Violence had erupted in Banbhulpura during an encroachment removal drive on 8 February last year, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. The rioting mob had even set fire to the local police station. The case related to that incident is still ongoing, which is why the district administration asserted that strong preparations and a very heavy security forces deployment are essential for the hearing concerning this sensitive locality.
