Tenants told to vacate Bhagat Singh’s ‘hideout’ in Ferozepur

Deputy commissioner Davinder Pal Singh has issued notices to tenants of a building here, which was used as a hideout by martyr Bhagat Singh and his associates and was recently declared as a ‘protected monument’ by the state government.

Deputy commissioner Davinder Pal Singh has issued notices to tenants of a building here, which was used as a hideout by martyr Bhagat Singh and his associates and was recently declared as a ‘protected monument’ by the state government.

The building, which was used as a hideout by martyr Bhagat Singh and others at Turi Bazar, Ferozepur. (HT PHOTO)

“The Punjab government has issued a notification to declare the hideout as a protected monument and now even putting a nail on its wall will be punitive as per law. The administration is chalking out a plan to provide an alternative site to the occupants of the building. Soon, the Archaeological Survey of India would take over the site. So we have issued notices to its tenants to vacate the same,” said the DC.

The DC said the administration would try to rehabilitate the families occupying the building by offering them alternative accommodation.

At present, three shops are being run on the ground floor and a family is residing on rent on the first floor of the building.

“The authorities should gear up quickly and not only protect the heritage building in letter and spirit, but also set up a library in memory of the martyrs before March 23, (martyrdom day) as a real tribute,” demanded Rakesh Kumar, an author of various books on the life and times of Bhagat Singh and others.