Anti-encroachment drive in Mathura turns violent, many injured

Over half a dozen persons including a junior engineer were injured in violence that broke out after residents of Nagla Sapera area here pelted stones at the officials during an anti-encroachment drive.
A team of of Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) and the forest department officials had gone to clear the encroachment on a part of Goverdhan Parikrama area yesterday after orders of the National Green Tribunal.
Eye witnesses claim that police, escorting the officials, resorted to firing in the air when the situation went out of control as the locals started pelting stones.
However, the authorities refuted this claim and said that only a lathicharge was done by the police.

"To control the stone pelting mob, the police had resorted to a mild lathicharge but there was no firing in the air," MVDA Secretary Vijai Kumar said.
SDM M P Singh said even after serving a notice, the locals indulged in violence instead of vacating the illegally possessed land.

He said since the orders of NGT have to be implemented, those who are in unauthorised possession of the land in the area are advised to clear it, failing which demolition of the houses would be done.
Meanwhile, local RLD leader Kunvar Narendra Singh questioned the demolition of houses at Nagla Sapera falling under Goverdhan Parikrama, claiming the residents have got valid documents.

He also demanded compensation and rehabilitation of the people whose houses were demolished.