-1729339717722.webp)
1 week Ago
Shopkeepers in Bahraich on Saturday scrambled to salvage their goods, fearing a demolition drive by the authorities following a communal clash during the Durga idol immersion procession. The local lawmaker later informed that the Public Works Department has served notices to 23 establishments—20 of them belonging to Muslims. The shopkeepers have been asked to vacate the property on an immediate basis.
The notice comes days after a 22-year-old Hindu man was shot dead in the Maharajganj area of the district during a communal clash. "People are vacating their shops. Those who will not, the administration will take action against them," BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh said, as quoted by PTI.
"In all, there are around 50 shops. Barring one or two, most of them on the Mahrajganj bypass may face action," he added, adding that no one will be spared, whatever their religion. ALSO READ: Odia Actor Buddhaditya Mohanty Booked For Suggesting Rahul Gandhi’s Name As Lawrence Bishnoi's 'Next Target' Earlier, the PWD on Friday carried out inspections in the Mahrajganj area, and the officials took measurements of several houses.
They also took measurements of the house of Abdul Hameed, one of the men accused of having a role in the killing of Ram Gopal Mishra on Sunday. However, an official claimed that it was a routine exercise conducted annually "to demolish houses built on the intersections, S curves or junction points of the road," he said, as per the news agency. He further claimed that the illegal houses identified will be served notices under the Road Control Act 1964.
The notice on Abdul Hameed's house said that the construction was "illegal" since it was built within 60 feet of the central point of the road in rural areas, which is not allowed. ALSO READ: Odisha Police Exhumes Man's Body For Post-Mortem After Family Accuses Hospital Of Organ Theft Earlier, District Magistrate Monika Rani on Friday told reporters that the enchroachments were removed to widen the roads in the district. On Saturday, Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey was stopped from coming to Bahraich through an advance notice by the collector.
The Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly said he was told not to go to Bahraich as the situation may get worse there. "If something goes wrong, they will blame us. The organisation has also given me the same advice, and the DM has also asked me to come only after three days," Pandey said.
.
