15 Detained After Locals Protest Demolition Drive in Jaipur City

Fifteen people, including a former director general of police, were detained after local residents staged a protest in Jaipur against a demolition drive by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), police said on Wednesday.

- HT Correspondent

JAIPUR:

Jaipur (West) deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Amit Budaniya said, "The demolition drive was carried out as per protocols. We have not arrested anyone but detained 15 people, including former DGP Navdeep Singh for obstructing the JDA officials from discharging their duty and creating tension in the area. Our force is keeping a watch in the area till the drive is underway."

According to officials, the drive, which began on Wednesday morning, aimed to remove around 270 unauthorized structures spread over a 2.5-kilometer stretch at the Sirsi Road area in Vaishali Nagar, following the Rajasthan high court order.

On November 21 last year, a division bench of HC presided over by Justices Inderjeet Singh and Vinod Kumar Bharwani instructed the JDA to clear all encroachments along the public road connecting Khatipura Tiraha and Sirsi Road, in two months.

The directive came in response to a 2017 petition highlighting 274 encroachments, including some permanent constructions and fencing, hindering the road on that particular stretch.