676 houses in Anakaputhur issued demolition notice

Following the inundation during the monsoon last year, the local administration had taken a stern decision to remove encroachments along the river. 

In Anakaputhur, 676 homes in locations such as Thai Mookambika Nagar, Stalin Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Dhobi Khana and Quaid-e-Milleth Nagar have received demolition notices. The residents had requested the local administration to give time till March, so that the children’s studies are not interrupted. Many of the residents also protested that their lands were legitimate and that they had been granted patta in their favour. 

A revenue official said, “As per the orders of the Madras High Court and the government, we have been asked to remove encroachments on the river. Even if the people have the patta, their homes will be demolished because it hampers movement of water to the river. For those who have patta lands, compensation based on the market price will be given. Families without a patta, will have to relocate to Perumbakkam tenements.” Verification of patta had begun on Tuesday, by the Pallavaram tahsildars and revenue department officials at the Anakaputhur Kalyana Mandapam. 

The revenue department official added, “So far, 150 families have showed their patta documents and verification will take place to ascertain if these are legitimate. We have given the residents time till March, as per their request, after which the demolition process will begin. Till then, we are going ahead with the other procedures."