The Rajkot Municipal Corporation began a massive demolition drive early this morning in the Jungleshwar area, targeting 1,492 illegal structures. The large-scale action, launched at the start of the holy month of Ramzan, has triggered mixed reactions among local residents, with some expressing anger and others gripped by fear. The civic body has undertaken extensive micro-planning for what is being described as a mega demolition operation in Jungleshwar. To carry out the operation, the municipal corporation has deployed more than 84 JCB machines, 84 tractors, seven Hitachi machines, 50 tractor-mounted breakers, 42 gas cutters, and 14 dumpers. A large number of labourers, technical staff, and supervisory teams have also been assigned. The entire area has been divided into seven separate zones to ensure systematic execution of the demolition process.
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A special control room has been set up by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation to monitor the operation. Information from all seven zones will be collected and reviewed continuously by senior officials. A centralised command system has been established to provide necessary guidance, enable immediate decision-making, and ensure public safety and coordination throughout the drive. More than 1,130 officers and employees of the RMC have been deployed on the ground. Additionally, over 3,000 police personnel have been stationed in and around the area to maintain law and order. Police forces have also been called in from neighbouring districts of Rajkot, and continuous drone surveillance is being conducted to closely monitor the situation.
The Jungleshwar area has a history of criminal activity. It is known to house key peddlers involved in the sale of cannabis, charas, opium, and other drugs. Over the past decade, a total of 276 cases related to illegal liquor, 65 cases under gambling laws, four murder cases, and three attempted murder cases have been registered in the locality, highlighting its troubled past.