New Delhi, September 05: A clash between police and local residents of a Ghaziabad residential colony on Saturday got uglier and violent resulting in police firing and long traffic snarls.
Angry protesters blocked the NH-24 resulting in a traffic jam stretching as long as 15 kms. The road from Lal Kuan till UP Gate is said to be blocked.
Commuters using the highway are said to be caught in the jam since 7.00 am making it impossible to reach places like Vaishali and Indirapuram.
The mob also set afire more than a dozen vehicles, including a bus and two trucks. With protesters getting out of control police fired in the air to disperse the mob besides resorting to canecharge.
The police and protesters clashed following the demolition of constructions in allegedly unauthorised colony in the area. While authorities claimed the colony was set up on government land by land mafia, residents resisted their move saying they have been residing in the area for last 15 years.
Majority of the residents in the area are said to be from the lower-middle income group.
–Agencies