AMC to hire ex-armymen to remove encroachment on open plots

The Standing Committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Tuesday decided to hire former army officials to remove encroachment on a government land and protect the open plots.

The civic body resorted to the latest plan after mulling over other ways such as wired fencing, satellite mapping, walls, etc. The announcement came after Monday's general body meeting during which members of both the Congress and the BJP alleged that the civic officials were working in cahoots with some anti-social elements.

It was alleged that Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's open plots get gradually converted into slums, and some individuals claim the land eventually after arranging fake government documents. The same allegations were also brought up during the Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday.

"Earlier, we had asked help from the government and they assured us to provide SRP and we were ready to pay them Rs 2 crore," said Pravin Patel, Standing Committee Chairman. "But we haven't received any help, hence we have decided to hire former army officials with gun for the protection of the open plots."