Over a hundred structures, including slums and commercial establishments, were razed to the ground in the operation that began at around 11.30 am and continued till the time of going to press. UMC offcer-on-special-duty R D Shinde supervised the operations, and the sub-division officer B L Giri was also present, leaving no doubts about how the state government felt about the drive.

In a township that owes much of its notoriety to illegal constructions, it was not surprising that elected representatives (including local Senacorporator Maharajsingh Bhullar) were not to be seen. The area was inundated with over three-feet water as heavy rains lashed the township even as the anti-encroachment squad went on the offensive armed with two JCBs and fork-lifts. A team of 50 constables, two police inspectors and five sub-inspectors maintained vigil along with an SRP platoon. DCP Suresh Ahire was also present. Two persons hurled a rock at the JCB machine, smashing its windscreen and missing the driver narrowly. They have been arrested.

However, coming close on the heels of the attack on the two deputy municipal commissioners J M Dhakare and N A Nagrale on Thursday, the demolitions have raised the hackles of slumdwellers and shopkeepers around Shahad station. ``This is nothing but cold-blooded vendetta,'' claimed Abhayshankar Verma, a local resident whose house was demolished. Shahad Vyapari Sangh chairperson Dr Kanhaiyalal Nathani threatened that the shopkeepers would seek judicial intervention ``to stop the UMC's high-hindedness.''According to him, the UMC had not even notified the slumdwellers about the impending demolitions.

But despite being harangued by residents, Shinde refused to relent even for a day. ``They have all been sent notices time and again for the past ten years to vacate the premises,'' he explained, adding, ``Today an autorickshaw which went around with an annnouncement informing people of the impending operation at 8.30 am was also attacked, so we are not to blame.'' Chandrashekhar told Express Newsline, ``The demoliton drive will continue in other areas of the township too. To begin with, we have to at least get the streets cleared.''

The UMC, it is learnt, has plans to widen the existing narrow road in the area, reclaimed from encroachments, into a 40-feet street. While the slumdwellers may be unhappy about the demolitions, other citizens have welcomed the drive. ``I only hope polticians don't create problems for Chandrashekhar,'' said Usha Samtani, a local resident. The mood among the UMC staff whohave had to live with political interference all along was upbeat since they ``were allowed to do our job without any pressure.''