Ahmedabad launches largest demolition drive after Pahalgam terror attack

AHMEDABAD: Bulldozers rolled into Ahmedabad's Chandola lake area before sunrise Tuesday, demolishing illegal shanties in the city's largest anti-encroachment operation since 2009. The crackdown, prompted by heightened security concerns following the April 22 terrorist attack in J&K's Pahalgam, focused on nearly 1 lakh square metre of govt land occupied by suspected Bangladeshi nationals.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), backed by 2,000 police personnel and 20 companies of state reserve police, mobilised 50 teams for the demolition. Power to the area was cut as a precaution. By the end of the day, over 2,000 shanties - many in Siyasatnagar and Bengali Vaas - had been razed. The settlements were flagged by authorities for alleged unlawful activity and the presence of undocumented immigrants, particularly Bangladeshis.

DGP Vikas Sahay said the state has intensified action against undocumented immigrants after the Pahalgam attack. In Ahmedabad and Surat alone, more than 6,500 suspected Bangladeshi nationals have been detained, with 450 confirmed as residing illegally. Identity verification efforts are ongoing.

The operation began with the demolition of an illegal farmhouse owned by Lala Mehmood Pathan, also known as Lallu Bihari. Pathan is accused of forging rent agreements and supplying Aadhaar cards and other identity documents to immigrants. An FIR filed Tuesday names Pathan.
Police said more than 590 forged passports had been issued to illegal immigrants, triggering investigations into the role of local politicians and cops. "AMC acted on the basis of a recent survey that revealed encroachments and illegal occupancy around the lake," said JCP (crime) Sharad Singhal. "This was a coordinated effort between civic and police authorities."
This is the most extensive clearance in Chandola lake area since 2009.