With mobile internet suspended, JDA razes five religious structures

Drive Amid Heavy Security DeploymentJaipur: An air of tension lingered over parts of the city Monday as it woke up to suspended mobile internet services and precautionary measures ahead of the JDA’s anti-encroachment drive targeting a series of illegal constructions, including five religious structures and portions of a residential building.Soon after first light, Bharu Marg — connecting Gaurav Tower Marg with Getor Jagatpura railway station — was sealed off by posses of security personnel. The enforcement wing of JDA moved in soon after for what it termed a “sensitive” anti-encroachment drive.Barricades blocked Bharu Marg at both ends, and every lane leading to the main road was blocked. Units of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) took positions on high-rises on both sides of Bharu Marg, watching rooftops, terraces and windows.The objective of the day was widening Bharu Marg to 80 feet and turn it into a corridor to ease traffic flow from the interiors of Nandpuri Underpass and Siddharth Nagar away from Balaji Tiraha.With earth-moving machines already in position, the JDA moved to raze five religious structures over the next few hours. First to fall were two temples, followed by a ‘satsang’ hall for spiritual gatherings and a mazar (tomb). Portions of the 44-year-old Noorani Masjid were next to be razed.“The demolition drive was completely peaceful, and there was no opposition to it anywhere. The public cooperated in maintaining peace,” JDA enforcement wing’s DIG Anand Sharma said.“A few structures, for which stay orders had been obtained from courts, were allowed to stand. We are working with the courts to have these structures brought down as well,” he added.Explaining the rationale behind the drive, JDA officials said the five religious structures targeted during the drive all encroached upon Bharu Marg. The sixth encroachment to be razed was a portion of a residential building that the JDA could not demolish during an earlier drive in May because it stood right next to the Noorani Masjid.“Considering the sensitivity of this drive, more than 3,000 police personnel were deployed to cover not only the site of the demolitions but also across several sensitive areas of the city,” a senior officer of the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, who was present on the spot, said.Additional police deployment was made in areas as far away as Kanta Chauraha near Jhotwara, Haripura and parts of the Walled City.Security was extremely tight during the drive, with access to the area strictly restricted, even for media representatives.