Heavy police force, barricades seal entire Central Market and Shastri Nagar

Meerut: Demolition action is underway on 44 sealed buildings in the Central Market area of Shastri Nagar, Meerut. The demolition team has already razed six buildings so far, with a massive police force deployed at the site. The entire Central Market and Shastri Nagar area has been cordoned off with barricades, preventing even children from making it to school. Media personnel have also been barred from entering the area.

Preparations are underway to demolish all 44 sealed buildings in Meerut's Shastri Nagar Central Market, with heavy police force and bulldozers deployed at the site. The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter on September 21, and the buildings must be restored to their original condition before that hearing. Traders have gathered at the spot in large numbers, with many shopkeepers seen removing their goods and belongings from the shops.

Acting on Supreme Court orders, the Meerut Development Authority had earlier sealed commercial complexes, schools, hospitals, sweet shops, jewellery showrooms, dairies, salons and other establishments that had been illegally constructed on residential plots. On July 14, the Supreme Court ordered the demolition of all 44 such properties. Following this, the development authority had conducted a survey of these properties.

Notices were issued to the property owners directing them to demolish the structures within 15 days — a deadline that expired long ago. With the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for September 21, the Housing and Development Authority is required to comply with the apex court's orders. Accordingly, force was deployed and bulldozers brought in from early Wednesday morning to carry out the demolition of the sealed buildings. The team began the bulldozer action at 9 am and has since demolished six buildings.

Due to the sealing of the entire Central Market and Shastri Nagar area with barricades, children were unable to reach their schools. Media personnel were also denied entry into the area and were not permitted to film the proceedings.

Notably, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Central Market case on September 21, when a report on the demolition action against the 44 sealed buildings will need to be submitted. On Wednesday, six of these 44 buildings were demolished.