At least 16 people, including four cops, were today injured when slum dwellers clashed with police during their protest against administration’s proposed drive to demolish an alleged illegal colony on the outskirts of the city.
The clash occurred outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here when some residents of Dhanas village refused to leave the premises after submitting their memorandum against the demolition plan, police said.
Some slum dwellers around Dhanas village are allegedly occupying government land illegally for which they were served notice to vacate it by tomorrow, or face demolition, police said.
Their representatives were allowed to submit the memorandum but they refused to vacate the office premises after the meeting and pelted stones at the police, they said.
To bring the situation under control the police used tear gas shells and cane-charged the 200-odd protesters, police said.
Sixteen people, including four cops, were injured in the clash. The injured were admitted to a government hospital where the protesters again staged a demonstration and gheraoed the hospital.
The situation is now under control, officials said.
In its bid to make Chandigarh a smart city, the administration has decided to carry out demolition drive against illegal colonies in the city.