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An anti-encroachment drive in Akbar Nagar, Lucknow, witnessed locals pelting stones at the police and administration, creating a tense atmosphere. The incident occurred during the demolition of illegal structures by the Lucknow Development Authority, accompanied by the police, along Faizabad Road.
Stones Pelted on Police during Demolition Drive in Lucknow. Tensions escalated in Akbar Nagar, Lucknow, as locals clashed with authorities during an anti-encroachment drive on March 11. The situation unfolded during the demolition of illegal structures by a joint team from the Lucknow Development Authority, administration, and the police along Faizabad Road.
Lucknow Development Authority Vice-Chairman Indramani Tripathi reported that the drive targeted three commercial establishments following the dismissal of writs by the high court. Two structures were successfully demolished, but during the demolition of the third, locals, fueled by rumors, began pelting stones at the officials and police. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Stone Pelting on Police in Lucknow. “Some locals claimed that debris from the demolished structures damaged their properties. In response, seven people have been allotted houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” said Tripathi, emphasizing that the situation is now under control.
The anti-encroachment drive was initiated as the Akbar Nagar slum had allegedly encroached illegally on government land, comprising around 1,400 houses. Notably, 74 BPL cardholders from Akbar Nagar had filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court seeking a stay on the demolition drive. Tripathi clarified that the drive focuses on razing commercial establishments, not residential ones, in accordance with the High Court’s directive.
The Allahabad High Court had previously ordered all residents to vacate the disputed premises by March 31. Joint Police Commissioner Upendra Agarwal explained that a rumor about someone being trapped under debris during the demolition led to the stone-pelting incident. Despite the tension, the situation was brought under control, and no FIR has been registered.
Addressing the situation, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav commented, “This is the BJP’s ‘Awas Vinash Yojna (housing destruction plan).’ The families of the devastated Akbar Nagar of Lucknow want to say something. Only those who have families can understand the pain of these families.”
