In a decisive move, the Junagadh Municipal Corporation demolished a dargah and a temple, both built on encroached land, during a late-night operation on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The dargah, which had been the epicenter of a clash between police and protesters last year, and the temple were targeted as part of the civic bodys efforts to remove illegal structures.The operation, carried out amid heavy police deployment, also saw the demolition of an illegal expansion of another temple in the area.Confirming the development, Junagadh Municipal Commissioner Om Prakash stated, The dargah was demolished in an operation that started around 1 am. The dargah, located near Majevadi gate in the city, had become the centre of a controversy in June last year when protesters clashed with the police after a notice was issued for its demolition.The incident last year had taken a violent turn, resulting in one persons death and several police officers sustaining injuries.Highlighting the precautionary measures taken during the recent demolition drive, Junagadh district superintendent of police, Harshad Mehta, said, The operation has remained peaceful without any untoward incident. He added that since the structures to be removed were religious, they took extra care to ensure the law and order situation did not get disturbed.The decision to demolish the dargah and the temple underscores the civic bodys commitment to addressing the issue of encroachment and illegal construction, irrespective of the nature of the structures involved. The move also serves as a reminder of the authorities determination to maintain the rule of law and uphold the principles of equal treatment under the law.As the city grapples with the aftermath of the demolition drive, the focus now shifts to ensuring a smooth transition and addressing any potential concerns or grievances arising from the affected communities. The authorities will likely continue their efforts to enforce regulations and maintain law and order while also fostering dialogue and understanding among various stakeholders.
