Gujarat govt razes houses, over 150 huts to free Somnath temple land of encroachment

A mega anti-encroachment drive was undertaken to clear around 3 hectares of land behind Somnath temple in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district that belonged to the temple trust and state government, officials said on Saturday.

As many as 21 houses and 153 huts that had unauthorisedly come up were being demolished to clear the land belonging to Shree Somnath Trust, which manages the activities of the revered Somnath temple, and the state government, said Collector Harji Vadhvaniya.

The mega demolition drive began Saturday morning in the presence of five ‘mamlatdars’ and around 100 revenue officials, Vadhvaniya said. 

Heavy police presence was also maintained to ensure that it went off peacefully, he said.

The land, which measures 3 hectares (7.4 acres), will be cleared of encroachment and fenced as per a circular issued by the state revenue department, he said.

Gir Somnath district Superintendent of Police Manoharsinh Jadeja said that a large number of policemen have been deployed to ensure that the drive goes smoothly.