This was one of the biggest demolition operations after August 21, 1997 in which nearly 600 shops were razed in the city.

Nearly 60 civic officers armed with the support of the police bulldozed shops, kachha sheds, kachha houses and cabins built by the Rabaris in the area between Navjivan crossroads and Ajwa octroi post.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) H S Patel ordered the operations in which about 80,000 square feet area was cleared.According to official sources, the Rabaris had encroached green belt area and open space for more than 10 years. The areas fall under the town planning.

While, the ones who had encroached the green belt and open space were given notices, those who had occupied roads were not issued notices in accordance with the provisions of the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation (BPMC) Act.

The Rabaris resisted the demolition operations and had also called on Patel on Monday and requested not to carry out the demolition operation.

More than 135 pakka shops, 160 kachha sheds, 105 kachha houses and 100 cabins were demolished. One hundred and twenty-five larris were also lifted.

The operation was supervised by Bajrang Pardeshi, C C Patel, Bhargav Vyas, Bipin Shah and Assistant Police Commissioner I C Raj among others.