Gujarat: 58 bulldozers run near Somnath temple, illegal land worth crores evacuated, 135 detained

A campaign was launched on Saturday to remove encroachment from government land near Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. 135 people were detained during the anti-encroachment operation. Administration officials gave this information.

Hundreds of police personnel were deployed

Hundreds of police personnel were deployed for the operation to remove unauthorized structures on government land at Prabhas Patan in Veraval, the site of the Somnath temple, the district administration said in a statement.

The value of the land was estimated at Rs 320 crore.

Gir Somnath Collector Digvijay Singh Jadeja said, ‘Nine religious places and 45 rooms were being used as hostels. The value of the land is estimated at Rs 320 crore. We have issued notices and proper procedures have been followed. But we did not get any reply. The demolition operation started early Saturday morning and we have vacated 102 acres of land. Will vacate the land within two days.

52 tractors were evacuated with the help of 58 bulldozers.

The administration said that 52 tractors, 58 bulldozers, two hydra cranes, five trucks, two ambulances and three fire engines were involved in this work. 788 police personnel and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel were deployed along with senior police and district administration officials.

135 in custody

On this occasion, three Superintendents of Police, four Deputy Superintendents of Police, 12 Inspectors, 24 Sub Inspectors, Additional District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Executive Magistrate were present. Gir Somnath SP Manohar Singh Jadeja said, ‘Around 135 people were detained under the operation.’ The law and order situation in the area is under control and no untoward incident has taken place.