Jalandhar, Feb. 11 -- Adhering to the Punjab and Haryana high court directive, the Jalandhar district administration in a special operation cleared illegal encroachments and constructions in the controversial Latifpura locality on Tuesday morning. Amid heavy police deployment, teams from the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) and the municipal corporation reached the site at 4.30am to reclaim land owned by the JIT. The area was cordoned off, restricting the movement of the public and media as the demolition of makeshift structures began. The action sparked immediate unrest, with members of the Latifpura Rehabilitation Committee climbing atop a water tank in nearby Buta Mandi. Protesters, some reportedly carrying petrol bottles, alleged the administration was acting in an arbitrary manner. The dispute dates back to December 9, 2022, when the JIT demolished nearly 50 residential structures on 241 marlas of land. The drive affected around 30 families, many claiming residence since Partition, triggering a political controversy that saw the opposition and farmer unions corner the AAP government. Since then, several families have lived in makeshift tents at the site, demanding better rehabilitation. The latest crackdown follows a civil writ petition by the Model Town Joint Action Committee (JAC), which sought the reopening of 120-ft road blocked for three years. Petitioners argued the encroachments caused traffic congestion. On July 29, 2025, the HC ordered the removal of all debris and tents within 30 days to clear the passage. Kashmir Singh Ghugshor, a member of the rehabilitation committee, claimed the administration had bypassed dialogue. "Fourteen families were residing at the site in temporary arrangements. The flats offered by JIT in the Bibi Bhani scheme are in a deplorable state and unfit for habitation," he said. Following the water tank protest, civil and police officials reportedly approached the committee for a meeting. Jalandhar DC Himanshu Aggarwal said they have shifted the families to the designated place, and many of them have submitted their documents in order to fulfil the due procedure for the allotment of land for their rehabilitation by Jalandhar Improvement Trust. "Talks with those who have climbed atop the water tank are on and they have been asked to pursue the legal route to contest their cases, for which we are ready to provide them legal aid," the DC said....