In a massive joint operation, the Forest Department and District Administration launched a large-scale anti-encroachment drive on Saturday in the Dargah area of Ajmer, and demolished over 150 illegal shops.&nbsp;
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The campaign targeted over 250 illegal shops constructed on the footpaths of Andarkot, Meetha Neem, and Bade Peer and witnessed a heavy deployment of police forces, effectively turning the Andarkot region into a cantonment kind of area.
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To ensure smooth execution, around 900 personnel, including forest workers, police officers, administrative officials, and labourers, have been mobilised from Ajmer and neighbouring districts like Tonk, Bhilwara, and Nagaur.
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So far, about 150 encroachments have been removed. Out of the 268 identified illegal structures, nearly 60 are currently protected under court stay orders.
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The Forest Department has identified encroachments on forest land stretching from the Taragarh footpath to Meetha Neem Dargah and further up to the Bada Peer Dargah road.
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A team of 250 forest staff is actively engaged in the demolition, while the police have made elaborate security arrangements across sensitive areas.
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Notably, the district administration has imposed a temporary ban on media access to the site, citing security reasons.
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However, to maintain transparency, they are providing official photos and videos of the action.
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District Collector Lok Bandhu informed that 90% of the illegal constructions have already been removed, and the remaining will be cleared soon.
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SP Vandita Rana emphasised that the action is legally sound and peaceful, with prior notices served to the shopkeepers.
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"We are getting full cooperation from the public. Most shopkeepers have already vacated,&rdquo; she said.
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Precautionary police forces have also been stationed outside the Adhai Din Ka Jhopara to prevent movement towards the hill.
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High-ranking officials, including Additional SP Himanshu Jangid and ADM City Gajendra Singh Rathore, were present on-site throughout the operation, ensuring law and order.
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The large-scale campaign marks a decisive step towards restoring access for devotees and reclaiming forest land illegally occupied for years in this historically significant area.
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&mdash;IANS

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August 2, 2025 | 23:07 IST