Several policemen injured in clashes during anti-encroachment drive

15/05/2024

JAMMU, May 14: Several policemen were injured in clashes with anti-social elements as authorities retrieved more than 20 acres of prime land in a major anti-encroachment drive in the Samba district, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.
Samba SSP Vinay Sharma said the joint drive by the police and the civil administration was launched near Balol Nullah in Bari Brahmana area on Monday evening to retrieve the encroached land and also to bust the hotspot of illegal drug trafficking.
Officials said at least 40 mud-houses belonging to the Gujjar community were demolished during the drive, which witnessed violent clashes between the alleged encroachers and law enforcement agencies.
Police and administration team inspecting the vacated land after successful anti-encroachment drive launched in Samba district
“We have been getting information about the vicinity becoming a drug hotspot, and during investigation it came to light that the SIDCO land is under illegal encroachment. A strategy was chalked out and accordingly the police along with civil officials moved into the area,” the SSP said.
He said the police party was attacked by stones and sharp-edged weapons by the anti-social elements, resulting in injuries to some personnel.
Despite resistance, the police moved in using teargas and baton charged to clear the area, the officer said, adding that a case was registered and further investigation is on to arrest those who attacked the police party.
He said the successful drive busted the drug hotspot, dealing a blow to the anti-national elements linked to narco-terrorism.
An industrialist welcomed the drive and said the land belonged to the State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) but was turned into a ‘drug hotspot’ over the years by the encroachers.
They stated that the site turned into a narcotics supply hot-spot.
Action was initiated but every time the police party was attacked by the miscreants, including some history sheeters, with stones, sticks and sharp weapons residing in the 'kullahs' raised on illegally encroached land.
Official sources also revealed that many of the history sheeters, having a criminal background and booked under several cases, were active on the social media platforms and seen flaunting weapons.
The district administration and police team after holding a joint review meeting on this matter, sources said that a surprise raid was conducted in the Balole area.
"The encroachers attacked the police and administration parties with stones and sticks," they said adding in a ding-dong battle to rescue and save the senior administrative officers, at least nine police personnel including lady constables sustained injuries.
Police, however, fired a few gunshots in air to disperse the attackers.
After two-day hectic effort, they said the encroached land was vacated with successful demolition drive and in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner Samba, Abhishek Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Samba, Vinay Sharma, the 160 kanals of land was handed over to the Department of Industries.
Sources also revealed that several complaints were also received from civil society members and other quarters regarding the supply of narcotics especially heroin from the 'kullahs', which prompted police and administration to start the launch of crackdown against the mafia.
SSP Samba Vinay Sharma when contacted confirmed about the latest development into the incident.Deputy Commissioner Samba, Abhishek Sharma said, "Hundreds of Kanals of Prime State land retrieved during anti- encroachment drive."
During the anti-encroachment drive, he said, the administration has retrieved more than 150 kanals of prime state land at, Bari Brahmana, adding, "A joint team of revenue officers and police retrieved prime state land from illegal encroachers."
Notably, this area had become the hotspot for drug activities and 13 FIRs have been lodged against these drug peddlers since 2021.
The land worth crores approximately 100 mt away from the national highway has been handed over to the industries department.

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