Shimla: The agitating Shimla Nagrik Sabha (SNS) forced open an old municipal road connecting a dalit locality that had allegedly been encroached upon by a private institution run by an influential person.
An agreement between Modern College and the residents of Annadale in presence of the Shimla district administration for opening the Dhobighat road and Sheel path proved beyond doubt about the illegal encroachment on public paths, said Vijender Mehra, spokesperson of the sabha.
Holding laxity of the Municipal Corporation responsible for the turning a blind eye to the issue, Mehra said the municipality should have timely acted in public interest to restore the path and road. Their role in conniving with the college management stands thoroughly exposed, he added.
It was on Friday that the Sabha members had started an indefinite dharna at Annadale ground to protest against blocking of the road to the dalit colony.
Modern College management is running a nursing and B.Ed college at the site and had raised a wall blocking the access roads.
People of the area, which included Zaini Prem a former mayor of the city, had complained about the encroachment to the municipal authorities but no action had followed.
Photo: Amit
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.