ENCROACHMENT DRIVE STRICT ON THE POOR, LENIENT ON THE INFLUENTIAL

ENCROACHMENT DRIVE STRICT ON THE POOR, LENIENT ON THE INFLUENTIAL

15-DEC-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------The anti-encroachment drive in Shahpur town area has become a subject of much discussion these days. A poor man's government-allotted shop on Banahi Road was demolished without any prior notice.

Anti-encroachment drives should be conducted under a well-thought-out, just, and equitable policy to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic or social background, are treated equally under the law and that no one is unfairly targeted. However, the anti-encroachment drive conducted four days ago by the administration in Shahpur Nagar Panchayat of Bhojpur district has caused deep dissatisfaction among the local residents. Local people have accused the municipal administration of adopting a discriminatory approach.

Local residents say that the municipal administration has adopted double standards in the anti-encroachment drive. According to them, the drive was limited to targeting the homes and government-allotted shops of poor and vulnerable families, where their permanent and temporary structures were completely demolished. These families were rendered homeless, and their means of livelihood were destroyed. In contrast, only nominal action was taken against influential and wealthy individuals. People allege that only a formality was observed in their cases, and their encroachments were left untouched, which has caused deep resentment among the general public.

To substantiate this allegation of discrimination, residents cited the example of the action taken on National Highway-84 (NH-84) in Shahpur. According to them, bulldozers were used only in the central part of the highway, while the encroachments located on its eastern and western edges were completely ignored. If the administration's objective was truly to clear the public thoroughfare of encroachments, then this selective action is incomprehensible and strengthens the allegations of discrimination. Looking at the Bhojpur DM's letter, it clearly instructs the removal of encroachments from Shahpur market and Banahi Road. However, no serious action was taken to remove encroachments from Shahpur market. The anti-encroachment drive in the Shahpur municipal area has become a subject of much discussion. A poor man's government-allotted shop was demolished without any prior notice, leaving him facing a livelihood crisis.

This action has raised many questions among local residents, especially since only nominal or symbolic action is being taken against encroachments by influential individuals and large business owners.

It is ironic that while strict action is taken against minor encroachments by the weaker sections of society, large-scale encroachments by powerful individuals are often ignored or met with only superficial action. This kind of discriminatory policy is contrary to the principles of justice and equality. The local administration is expected to ensure that the rules are applied equally to everyone, not just to a select few.