Action against 12 for illegal structures

PATHANKOT: With the Pathankot SDM assuring the Army officials of action against those who have raised structures in the prohibited area since 2003, police on Sunday claim to have sent court notices to 12 residents.
However, the residents maintain that they they would incur huge losses if the buildings are razed by the civil administration, which had not objected to their plans earlier and provided power, water and sewerage connections.
They have the support of BJP and Congress leaders, who condemn the administration for not informing people about the Army notification banning construction near the depot since 2003. Pathankot BJP chief Satish Mahajan said, “If there was a ban, why did the civil administration allow construction of thousands of houses and business premises in the area?” Former Congress MLA Ashok Sharma said the Army should shift the depot.