tnnPanchkula: Under the large-scale ‘crime and encroachment-free’ campaign of the Panchkula police, illegal shanties were demolished in Sector 14 on Thursday.The police said as part of this special drive, thorough verification was being conducted of migrants and suspicious individuals living in illegal shanties and makeshift settlements along roadsides in various parts of the city.Following identity and document verification, and with cooperation of the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), all such illegal settlements are being cleared and land is being freed from encroachment.A special drive was conducted on Thursday at various locations in the Sector 14 of Panchkula. During the operation, illegal shanties were removed using bulldozers with the assistance of the HSVP officials and the area was completely cleared. Adequate police personnel were deployed to maintain peace and law and order throughout the drive.Police commissioner Pankaj Nain clarified that alongside verification of suspicious individuals, this action will continue wherever illegal shanties or encroachments were found in the city. Sending a stern message to elements that compromise law and order or disturb the peace, he stated that the security of Panchkula, an orderly environment, and the well-being of its citizens were the top priorities, and the administration would continue to act strictly at all levels to uphold them.Two days ago, illegal shanties were removed from Sector 5 where it has been growing gradually. It has created insanitary conditions there. Besides, so far there was no verification of the people residing there.The police have been receiving complaints regarding unidentified individuals residing at various locations in the city without verification. Such settlements could potentially become hubs for criminal activities, including drug trafficking, theft and other offences, the police said.Police teams are carrying out ground-level verification, and the officials expect the operation to be completed within a week. Authorities said the campaign was intended to ensure that Panchkula remained crime-free while preventing illegal encroachments from flourishing in the city.
