Illegal constructions demolished

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 10: The Malda district administration today demolished illegal constructions on a playground, identified as “enemy property”, at Regent Park in English Bazaar town following an order by the district magistrate, Mr Chittaranjan Das.The demolition comes in the wake of a report submitted by the district land and land reforms officer. It may be recalled that a group promoters, allegedly backed by the CPI-M, had grabbed the playground and started demarcating the land for sale, much to the chagrin of the locals who were using the playground for sports activities and cultural programmes. The sub-divisional officer, Malda sadar, Ms Arunima De, additional district police superintendent, Malda, Mr S Sarkar led the police team in demolishing the illegal constructions.Hundreds of labourers were engaged to carry out the demolition drive amidst tight security. Bulldozers and rollers were also used to demolish the constructions, including a country liquor shop.The owner of the liquor shop, who had allegedly encroached upon the playground a decade back, was earlier asked to vacate within 24 hours. The demolition drive would be continued tomorrow, police said. “The ADM (LR) had identified the land as an enemy property. We are now demolishing all the illegal constructions on it,” the DM, Mr Das, said.Senior district police officials, including the DM and the SP, visited the site today to take stock of the situation.Thousands of people gathered to watch the police operation and expressed their satisfaction over the demolition drive.They thanked the officials concerned for taking prompt action against the promoters.