Gujarat Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil has demanded action against officers under whose tenure illegal constructions came up in and around Chandola lake in Ahmedabad.
Within hours after 26 lives were lost in a terror attack in Pahalgam, the Police detained illegal Bangladeshi residents and then illegal constructions were razed to the ground in an operation that continued for more than two days. Land proportionate to a couple of football grounds was cleared.
Addressing a press conference at the state Congress headquarter in Ahmedabad, Gohil categorically said that citizen of any country living illegally in India is a threat to national security. He said the Government has the Congress’ total support if it is “throwing out” out of India illegal immigrants from any country.
He, however, said that questions do arise the manner in which the state govenrment swooped down on the residents at the Chandola Lake after the Pahalgam attack. If they could do it within hours of the attack then they knew where the Bangladeshis were staying.
Gohil demanded that names of the officers, under whose tenure the illegal structures came up, should be declared and action be initiated against them.
Without naming Lalla Pathan alias Bihari, Gohil questioned whether the BJP sheltered him as he was working against the Congress.
After the demolition drive by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which was carried under heavy police protection, the police arrested Pathan and his son Fateh. The AMC demolished his farm house and other properties.
Pathan was earning lakhs of rupees every month. He helped illegal immigrants and those in need by forging documents, based on which Aadhar Cards and other necessary documents were made. He ran a fleet of over 200 auto rickshaws. It is alleged that he also pushed Bangladeshi women into prostitution.
Asking what were the inputs of the RAW and what was the IB doing when the illegal immigrants came, Gohil said that in 2021 party leader Shezadkhan Pathan had informed the police in writing about the illegal activities being carried out in Chandola area. It was also brought to the police’s notice in 2023, the Congress leader pointed out.
Gohil alleged that to hide its failure, the government initiated action and even disconnected electricity and water connections.
He clearly said that a large number of people staying in Chandola Lake area were residents of India, he demanded that alternative arrangements be provided to them to stay and the electricity and water connections be reconnected.
Gohil said if the affected residents wished to fight the case till the Supreme Court then the Congress would help them on humanitarian grounds.
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