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Over 150 illegal Bangladeshi settlers attack municipal staff in Lucknow: Mayor demands action, 50 illegal shanties demolished

On 29th December, a mob of 150-200 illegal Bangladeshi settlers attacked municipal workers during an anti-encroachment drive in the Indira Nagar area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The team, led by municipal supervisor Minakshi, was assaulted by the mob, who were armed with sticks. They chased the officials away, leaving several of them injured.

On 29th December, a mob of 150-200 illegal Bangladeshi settlers attacked municipal workers during an anti-encroachment drive in the Indira Nagar area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The team, led by municipal supervisor Minakshi, was assaulted by the mob, who were armed with sticks. They chased the officials away, leaving several of them injured.

Reportedly, belongings of the staff, including a gold chain and mobile phones, were also snatched by the mobsters. The incident escalated tensions in the area, leading to a demolition drive where the authorities removed at least 50 illegal shanties (jhuggis) belonging to the illegal Bangladeshi settlers. A case against the mobsters has also been registered at Indira Nagar Police Station.

Municipal workers attacked during encroachment removal drive

The incident began at around 7 AM when a team of municipal workers reached Zone 7 near the ‘Ghode Wale Mandir’ to remove illegal handcarts. There were complaints that illegal Bangladeshis living in the area were engaged in unauthorised collection of waste, leading to unsanitary conditions. During the anti-encroachment drive, several individuals resisted the action. Reports suggest that one of the women at the site called others for reinforcement. Within minutes, a mob of 150-200 illegal Bangladeshi settlers arrived, armed with sticks, and attacked the municipal team.

The mobsters assaulted supervisor Minakshi, tore her clothes, and snatched a gold chain from her neck. They also snatched the mobile phones of municipal staff workers Shiv Balak and Deep Bhushan. The mobsters vandalised vehicles, and the driver of inspector Vijeta Dwivedi was dragged and attacked. The municipal workers narrowly escaped the scene and informed senior officials about the incident.

Mayor demands immediate action, electricity connections cut

Mayor Sushma Kharkwal immediately swung into action and visited the site alongside Joint Commissioner of Police Amit Verma and BJP MLA O.P. Srivastava. When Kharkwal noticed that the shanties had electricity connections, officials from the electricity department were called. She criticised the local electricity officials for enabling illegal power connections in the area. The electricity connections were disconnected immediately.

Kharkwal said, “These Bangladeshi squatters have attacked municipal staff and engaged in criminal activities. How are they getting electricity connections? This negligence must be addressed immediately.” Furthermore, she stated that if no action was taken against the illegal immigrants, she would sit in protest even if her own government was in power in the state. She also directed the officials to demolish the illegal structures raised by the Bangladeshis in the area.

Speaking to media, JCP Law and Order of Lucknow, Amit Verma said, “The Municipal Corporation team was carrying out a campaign during which some people attacked their team. An FIR has been registered by the Municipal Corporation. The police will take action in this matter as soon as possible and strict action will be taken against those who are guilty in this…”

Demolition drive conducted under police protection

By early afternoon, the municipal team reached the Indira Nagar area with heavy police force and demolished around 50 illegal shanties. The residents were seen moving their belongings and relocating to other areas. As the police force was present, the demolition proceeded without any resistance.

By early afternoon, the municipal team, under heavy police protection, demolished approximately 50 illegal shanties in the Indira Nagar area. Residents were seen moving their belongings onto vehicles and relocating to other areas. Many of the residents, reportedly Bangladeshi migrants, were engaged in informal waste collection and household cleaning jobs.

Formal complaints and political reactions

Following the attack on municipal staff members and workers, a formal complaint was lodged at the Indira Nagar Police Station by municipal officer Kuldeepak Singh. An FIR has been registered under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 121(1), 132, 115(2), 309(6), 324(4), 351(2), 131, 74, and 109 of Bharatiya Nayay Sanhita (BNS) and Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1932. OpIndia accessed copy of the FIR.

In his complaint, Kuldeepak provided details about how the municipal team was attacked during the anti-encroachment drive and named Nadim as the leader of the group that incited violence. He informed the police that the municipal team, led by supervisor Minakshi, was conducting an operation to remove illegal handcarts and tackle unauthorised waste collection near the temple. During the operation, a local woman used her mobile phone to call for reinforcement. A mob of around 150-200 individuals, led by Nadim and Sheru, reached the spot on her call.

The mob, armed with sticks, attacked the municipal team, chasing and assaulting them. Supervisor Minakshi was specifically targeted, and her clothes were torn. The mobsters snatched a gold chain from her neck. Two of the staff members had their mobile phones stolen. Furthermore, Kuldeepak told the police that vehicles of municipal staff members were vandalised, and the driver of Vijeta Dwivedi’s vehicle was dragged and severely assaulted with an apparent attempt to cause fatal harm.

Kuldeepak mentioned that the team narrowly escaped the attack, after which they alerted senior officials about the incident. The violent mob disrupted the anti-encroachment drive, creating a chaotic and terrorised atmosphere at the site. He added that unauthorised waste collection and illegal electricity connections facilitated by local authorities were prevalent in the area.

The Uttar Pradesh Local Bodies Employees Association strongly condemned the attack, with president Shashi Kumar Mishra demanding strict action against the culprits to prevent similar incidents.

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OpIndia Staff
OpIndia Staffhttps://www.opindia.com
Staff reporter at OpIndia

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