Drive to evict encroachers from Adyar bank foiled

Revenue officials claimed that they had already issued notices to more than 600 encroached houses. However, the residents refused to let the officials inside the village.

Following a government order to clear encroachments of lakes and other water bodies, the revenue officials issued notices to 804 houses including shops at a site near Anakaputhur. Around 30 houses were demolished in November last year. Other households were issued notices to vacate the land by March and were allotted houses at Padappai.

However, the residents refused to move to the new location citing that it was far away from their workplace. They residents demanded to allot a site that is nearby. Thereafter, they were allocated land at Semmenchery.

On Wednesday morning, a team of Revenue officials with police protection was on its way to Anakaputhur to demolish the buildings constructed on the banks of Adyar river. Residents of the village, which has a considerable Muslim population, alleged that it would be difficult for them to shift during the fasting days of Ramzan. Officials, however, said that they would return on Thursday with more backup and demolish the buildings.

Last Friday, residents of Kagithamillet Nagar, Stalin Nagar, Thai Mookambigai Nagar and Dhobikana Street had gathered for a demonstration at the Anakaputhur bus stand and demanded that they need to be allocated a site closer to Anakaputhur.