Date:12/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/12/stories/2006091208520100.htm

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Protest against demolition drive at Padi

Staff Reporter

Officials say encroachments being cleared for a flyover at the junction

— Photo: K.Pichumani

STERN ACTION: Protesting residents being chased away by police near the Padi junction on Monday.

CHENNAI: Police chased away more than 200 persons who protested against the removal of what officials called encroachments on government land near the Anna Nagar- Padi junction on Monday.

A private van was damaged and 10 persons, including nine women, were taken into custody. Later, they were released.

Officials said that most residents were encroachers of land that belonged to the Railways and Highways department.

The demolition drive commenced on Friday for a flyover coming up at the junction. More than 150 structures on the road leading to Anna Nagar from Padi Junction had been demolished, the officials said.

On Monday morning, the residents blocked traffic for about half an hour by placing sand bags and tyres on the road. As the protesters refused to budge, police lathicharged them.

The area remained tense throughout the day and traffic was affected for over two hours.

A resident said that around 600 residential and commercial structures on either side of the road and 2,000 people were likely to be affected by the flyover. Several complained that they had not been given time to move out. Nor were they provided with alternative sites.