The district administration in Ranchi intensified its anti-encroachment drive on Monday, turning its focus to the eastern side of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) ground located in the city's Bariatu area. This action is part of a sustained campaign being carried out in compliance with a directive from the Jharkhand High Court.
Massive Force Deployed for Demolition
The crackdown, which has been ongoing for four consecutive days, saw significant manpower and machinery deployed on the ground. Four magistrates, along with a contingent of police officers and a large number of constables, were present to oversee and conduct the operation. To facilitate the demolitions, three heavy earthmovers were put into operation, with the administration requisitioning additional machines to expedite the process.
Sadar magistrate Shinny Tigga maintained a close watch over the entire exercise, personally visiting the site in the evening to monitor the progress. The drive is being executed under the supervision of sadar sub-divisional officer Utkarsh Kumar, who affirmed that the administration is strictly complying with the high court's orders on the matter.
Challenges and Resistance from Residents
The demolition team faced immediate resistance at the onset of Monday's operation. The owner of the first house slated for removal initially opposed the administration's action before eventually relenting. The residents managed to evacuate all their belongings before the two-storey structure was razed to the ground.
The scale of encroachments presents a formidable challenge, with several large buildings identified on the RIMS land. One of the most complex tasks involves a four-storey apartment constructed on the premises. Due to its size and structure, it cannot be demolished using earthmovers. Workers have been deployed to dismantle the building gradually, with engineers from the building construction department supervising the job to ensure safety.
Legal Claims and Administrative Stance
As the drive progressed, several residents of the area approached officials, presenting receipts for land rent issued in their names in an attempt to stake their claim. However, magistrate Shinny Tigga clarified the administration's position on such documents.
"People should illustrate their papers at the appropriate platform," Tigga stated. "Many people approached the court with their papers, but they were not entertained." This indicates that the court had already examined such claims before issuing the demolition order.
The administration has identified approximately 15 buildings on the RIMS ground for demolition. The drive underscores the ongoing struggle between illegal encroachments on public institutional land and the enforcement of judicial mandates to reclaim such spaces for their intended public use.
