Ahmedabad: Like the recent “ghost demolitions” in Surat, Ahmedabad too witnessed an unauthorised demolition in the Nana Chiloda area on Monday. Around 2pm, more than 10 persons from a private security agency, falsely identifying themselves as Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) employees, illegally demolished three shops. Stating that it did not initiate the action, AMC said the area falls under Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation’s (GIDC) limits, and has initiated legal proceedings.The men were detained when the affected shop owners contacted police.Naroda resident Nandish Modi (35), whose shop was demolished, said, “My shop was 30 years old. Around 2pm on Monday, I was home for lunch when the neighbouring shopowner called to say that an AMC team was razing shops. I rushed to the spot and found 10 to 12 bouncers in black attire from a private security agency with demolition machinery.”Modi said he immediately contacted AMC. “The North Zone estate department told me that no demolition team had been dispatched. I alerted police, who arrived, seized the machinery, and took the men into custody. But by that time, three shops — including a garage and stores — had been razed, causing heavy financial losses.”An employee from one of the shops demolished said, “We have videographed the incident. The men were actually from a security agency but claimed to be from AMC.”Vikram Kataria, deputy estate officer in the North Zone estate department, stated, “On the road leading from Teuram Bridge to Nana Chiloda under Sardarnagar ward, the 60m road limit ends adjacent to a Toyota showroom. GIDC jurisdiction begins from this point. The three shops were located in GIDC boundary, next to an Indian Oil petrol pump. AMC received information regarding the demolition. An inquiry revealed that the shops were demolished between noon and 2pm on Monday. AMC took no action to demolish these shops, as any necessary action falls under GIDC’s jurisdiction. However, the demolition was carried out using AMC’s name. Proceedings to file a police complaint are underway against those falsely misrepresenting AMC.”Sources indicate that videos of the incident have surfaced, identifying the security agency involved. It is allegedly linked to a former BJP councillor and supplies manpower to AMC and Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority.
