Jalandhar: The district administration on Tuesday began an eviction drive in the Latifpura area near Model Town, complying with directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana high court.
The operation started early in the morning, with police teams reaching the spot around 7 am to remove alleged encroachments. Acting on the deputy commissioner’s orders, the entire Latifpura area was sealed off at around 4 am to prevent gatherings and ensure smooth execution of the drive.
Heavy police deployment and municipal corporation machinery were pressed into service as officials moved in to clear the encroached land. Police officials said the action was being carried out strictly as per the high court’s orders passed after a recent hearing, directing the administration to vacate the land.
However, the eviction drive triggered protests from a large number of local residents. To prevent outsiders from joining the protest, police erected barricades around the encroached area and restricted movement. No one was allowed to cross the barricades as tensions remained high.
Despite resistance, the municipal corporation and district administration continued with the eviction process, officials said, adding that adequate security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order during the operation.
