By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 25 Jun: MDDA had to halt its demolition drive against encroachments on river banks today, when a young woman died of shock over the demolition exercise being carried out these days. The drive was halted after this sudden development. It may be recalled that the MDDA is carrying out demolition exercise against the “illegal” construction of houses on encroached government land along the river banks in Dehradun valley. This exercise is in pursuance of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders. While initially, the state government had not taken the orders seriously but had to launch the anti encroachment drive when the High Court sought an explanation from the government on its non compliance of the NGT orders.
The MDDA is taking action to demolish the construction done after 11 March 2016 in Kath Bangla and Veer Gabbar Singh Basti on the banks of Rispana river. Demolition action was taken in Kath Bangla Basti on Monday. Action was also to be taken on some houses of Veer Gabbar Singh Basti today also but yesterday evening, 25-year-old Sonam of Veer Gabbar Singh Basti could not bear the shock of houses being demolished in Kath Bangla and she died of panic.
Sonam’s husband Akash shared that yesterday houses were being demolished in Kath Bangla Basti. Whereas in Veer Gabbar Singh Basti, pamphlets were being distributed and markers were being made. A large number of police force was also present. Seeing this, Sonam had become nervous. Sonam had lunch at three in the afternoon. During this time, markings started being made in their colony as well. On seeing this, Sonam started crying after seeing the houses being demolished in the other colony.
Aakash claimed that Sonam came home crying and asked him where will we live now. He added that he tried to console her but she became silent and suddenly fell down. After this, a nearby doctor was called. The doctor reported that she died due to a heart attack caused by shock. Sonam has a five-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son. Akash told that he was somehow raising the family by doing hard labour. Now the responsibility of taking care of the children has also come on him. PD Bhatt, in-charge of Rajpur police station, informed that due to Sonam’s death, demolition action was not continued. As soon as the team reached the spot today, the local people protested. During this, the police also detained some people. But released them after some time.
Meanwhile , Congress has accused the Dhami government of misusing government machinery on the matter. The party’s state spokesperson Sheeshpal Bisht claimed that contradictory statements are constantly coming from the government regarding encroachment. The government is citing NGT regarding the removal of encroachment. But the government should also show the order of NGT in which it is said that only 525 houses in the city come under the category of encroachment. At the same time, Congress has demanded adequate compensation to the family on Sonam’s death.
