MEERUT: The demolition of a shopping complex in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday morning killed four members of a family and injured one person, triggering protests and tension in the area.
Authorities rushed rescue personnel and a team of the National Disaster Relief Force to the town as experts warned many more people could be buried under the rubble.
Police said the victims went inside the building without permission while the demolition process was ongoing. They registered a case against officials of the Meerut Cantonment Board that carried out the razing as hundreds of angry traders and local residents gathered around the site, shouting slogans and alleging negligence.
Police arrested Cantt board executive engineer Anuj Singh from the Sadar Bazar area.
Police identified the deceased as Deepak Sharma,42, his son Honey Sharma,16, Govinda, a labourer and resident of Hardoi and homeguard Omveer. Sources said Deepak ran a food joint at his residence near the complex.
They added the property dispute began when a four-storeyed shopping complex and housing units were constructed on 210 B Bungalow estate—which reportedly belonged to the defence forces — in 1996.
{{/usCountry}}They added the property dispute began when a four-storeyed shopping complex and housing units were constructed on 210 B Bungalow estate—which reportedly belonged to the defence forces — in 1996.
{{/usCountry}}Jagmohan Shakal, a former member of the Cant t Board, termed the incident a massacre.