Chaos in Indore: Stone Pelting Erupts During Encroachment Drive
Chaos erupted in Indore's Kanadia as stone pelting occurred during an anti-encroachment drive. Police have detained several individuals.
A major anti-encroachment operation in Indore’s Kanadia area turned violent on Tuesday when stone pelting broke out against officials. The incident occurred as the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) and district administration were concluding a massive drive to clear illegal structures from the Pipliyahana Kankad locality.
The Escalation of Violence
The operation, which was carried out under the direct instructions of the District Collector, aimed to remove both temporary and permanent structures that were obstructing vital road construction projects. While the drive was initially conducted peacefully, tensions boiled over as the heavy machinery began to leave the site.
According to Additional DCP (Zone-2) Amrendra Singh, the violence was sudden. "As the machinery was leaving after the drive ended, some individuals threw stones," Singh informed reporters. The police were forced to act immediately, chasing away groups of youths and detaining those involved in the unrest.
Scale of the Operation
The scale of the demolition was significant, impacting a large number of residents. Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Ghanshyam Dhangar provided details on the scope of the clearance:
- Structures Removed: Between 70 to 80 houses were cleared.
- Families Affected: An estimated 70 to 80 families were residing in the demolished structures.
- Initial Approach: Authorities stated that residents were first counselled, after which many began removing their own belongings.
Police Action and Current Status
The SDM noted that while many complied with the drive, the situation turned volatile when some women and children reportedly engaged in stone pelting. However, he added that the unrest subsided following further counselling efforts by the administration.
To maintain order, law enforcement took swift action against those attempting to disrupt the process:
- Immediate Detentions: Approximately 8 to 9 individuals were detained on the spot during the initial chaos.
- Targeted Custody: Four to five specific individuals identified as primary agitators attempting to disrupt law and order were taken into custody.
"The situation is currently normal and under control," stated Amrendra Singh. Despite the calm, a heavy police deployment remains in the Kanadia area to prevent any further outbreaks of violence and to ensure the safety of the administration teams.