Jodhpur: Police had to resort to tear gas shells and even fire shots in the air after an administrative team removing encroachments in Ummed Sagar Dam area came under a violent attack Monday. The official team had to flee to save their lives as local residents started pelting stones, injuring over 12 police personnel and municipal staff. Two people sustained serious head injuries. The mob also vandalised the team’s JCB machines and punctured vehicle tires with knives.A large number of women were also present in the crowd, said DCP (west) Rajarshi Raj Verma. A large police force remains stationed at the location, and more than 50 persons have been detained, Verma said. “In the morning, when police and the municipal corporation team arrived to remove the encroachments, some people started pelting stones. Police are identifying and detaining those involved. The dam area will definitely be cleared of illegal encroachments. Strict action will be taken against all those involved in the violence,” said Verma.Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi had written a letter to the chief minister demanding action against the encroachments at Ummed Sagar and surrounding areas.Earlier, 103 encroachments were removed during a joint operation by JDA, police, and PHED. In a recent survey conducted by PHED, 229 more encroachments were identified. The removal of these began on Monday.Ummed Sagar Dam, which quenches the thirst of nearly 5 lakh people across about 210 villages, is now struggling to preserve its very existence. Falling victim to departmental negligence, the dam has now become a target for land mafia and encroachers.According to available information, 742.14 bighas of land around the Ummed Sagar Dam are registered under the name of PHED. However, the department has consistently delayed and made excuses in taking action to remove illegal encroachments.In the 2024 survey, 313 encroachments were identified — including 253 named individuals and 78 unidentified ones. Although a commitment was made in the state assembly to remove all encroachments within two months, the action remains incomplete to this day.
Mob injures 12, vandalises JCBs during Jodhpur demolition drive | Jaipur News
