Police free Saidpur hostels of squatters

PATNA: Acting on the orders of Patna high court, a strong contingent of policemen and magistrate on Saturday evicted illegal occupants from the Saidpur hostels of Patna University and Ambedkar hostel. A few mediapersons were allegedly beaten up by policemen during the anti-encroachment drive. The high court had on Wednesday set a deadline of September 27 to remove all encroachments from in and around Saidpur hostel area and directed the SSP to personally ensure compliance of the order.
“A team led by City SP (East) Dhurat Saayli Savlaram, magistrates and 600 policemen reached the hostel area to free it from unauthorized occupants,” said Patna SSP Vikas Vaibhav.
Policemen allegedly threw the belongings of the students from the terrace of Saidpur hostel. Mediapersons, who reached there for coverage, were allegedly mishandled by police. “Five mediapersons were beaten up with lathi by the policemen and senior officials did not try to stop them,” alleged a mediaperson.
“I have ordered an inquiry into the alleged media mishandling and also sought a report from the City SP (East). I have personally recorded the statements of the injured,” said the SSP. He added, “We are trying to identify the policemen who resorted to lathicharge on mediapersons.
During the operation, Shimla House, which was illegally constructed between the Saidpur Hostel and Ambedkar Hostel on the land owned by Patna University, was completely demolished. It had 80 rooms in a dilapidated condition.