PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Rudrapur
In a major action, Udham Singh Nagar police claimed to have bulldozed the illegal structures built by the notorious history-sheeter and gangster Tara Singh on government land in Nanakmatta. In a joint operation by the Irrigation department, tehsil administration and police, nearly two acres of government land was freed from encroachment whose market value is estimated to be over Rs 50 lakh.
Police said that as directed by the senior superintendent of police Ajay Ganpati, drives are being conducted to mark the lands illegally occupied by criminals in the Nanakmatta areas under ‘Operation Prahaar. “As the ownership of such lands was scrutinised, it was revealed that the history-sheeter Tara Singh and his family had illegally occupied government land belonging to the Irrigation department at the Nanak Sagar Dam and constructed permanent structures. It was also found that these premises had long been used for activities related to the smuggling and sale of smack, heroin and other drugs,” said a police officer familiar with the details.
The Irrigation department later issued a notice in this matter and razed these down as per the rules.
An illegal religious structure (mazaar) was also demolished during the operation.
As per police records, Singh has a total of 27 criminal cases registered against him, including robbery, burglary, kidnapping and attempt to murder, under Gangsters Act, Arms Act and NDPS Act. He is currently in jail. Other members of his family also have cases filed against them under NDPS Act and Excise Act among others.
Ganpati stated that such campaigns against drug smugglers, gangsters and criminals will continue. “Illegal properties acquired through crime will be identified and strict legal action will be taken against the encroachers. No one involved in these crimes will be spared,” he affirmed.
