In a sweeping pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, authorities in Ahmedabad moved in with bulldozers to clear out unauthorized dwellings near Chandola Lake. This marked the city’s most extensive anti-encroachment action since 2009. Triggered by growing national security concerns following the April 22 terrorist strike in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the drive aimed to reclaim nearly 100,000 square metres of public land.

Over 2,000 makeshift homes, primarily in Siyasatnagar and Bengali Vaas, were demolished. These areas were flagged for suspected criminal activity and the presence of undocumented Bangladeshi migrants. To ensure control, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation deployed 50 teams, accompanied by 2,000 police officers and 20 companies of the State Reserve Police. Electricity was disconnected before the clearance began.

Authorities launched the action following a recent survey that exposed illegal constructions and unauthorised occupation near the lake. Among the first to be targeted was an unlawfully built farmhouse owned by Lala Mehmood Pathan, alias Lallu Bihari. He is accused of preparing fake lease documents and helping migrants obtain forged Aadhaar cards and identity papers.

Police revealed that over 590 counterfeit passports had been issued through this network, prompting an expanded investigation into potential involvement of local political figures and law enforcement personnel.

State police chief Vikas Sahay confirmed that crackdowns on illegal immigrants have intensified post-Pahalgam. More than 6,500 suspected Bangladeshi nationals have been picked up across Ahmedabad and Surat, with 450 confirmed to be residing without legal documentation.

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