It took less than two hours to pull down the 300 odd jhuggis in the Indira Colony this afternoon. The MC Enforcement team led by Assistant Commissioner S. M. Sharma landed unannounced at the Colony around 1.45 p.m. They were accompanied by the area Station House Officer (SHO) and nearly 40 constables. While about 300 shanties were demolished, nearly 140 jhuggis built nearby were left unharmed. Officials said these people were residing for the past few years and possessed voter-identity cards and ration cards.

The Enforcement staff then moved behind the Motor Market in Manimajra and razed nearly 40 jhuggis. About five trucks of debris were taken away from the two sites.

Only a few months back, jhuggis were razed from the same site. Both the operations were peaceful, the official sources said. The jhuggi residents could be seen collecting material to set up their hutments afresh. Said Arjan, a rag-picker, who lives with his wife and children: "We have to stay here only. We have no alternative."

However, the officials said they have deployed a sub-inspector and four beldars to ensure that no jhuggis come up at the two sites. "Also, the police have been asked to keep watch," it was added.