Crackdown Near Chandola Lake Sparks Massive Operation to Clear Illegal Settlements

A large-scale demolition drive shook Ahmedabad this week as city authorities moved to dismantle an illegal settlement near Chandola Lake, believed to house numerous undocumented immigrants. The operation, which began Tuesday morning, was one of the biggest of its kind in recent years and was backed by both civic and law enforcement agencies.

The focus of the clearance was an area known locally as “Siyasatnagar Bangal Vaas,” where a significant number of residents were reportedly living without valid documentation. After a detailed survey revealed unauthorized construction, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation rolled out a demolition campaign supported by an astonishing 50 JCB machines and more than 2,000 police personnel to ensure security and manage resistance.

The atmosphere on-site was tense but controlled, as law enforcement coordinated efforts to prevent disruptions. Locals watched as the makeshift homes and structures were brought down, part of a broader effort to reclaim public land and curb illegal immigration patterns in urban regions.

This high-impact operation in Ahmedabad wasn’t an isolated event. Across the state, similar efforts have intensified in recent weeks. In Umargam, police detained seven individuals — six men and one woman — suspected to have entered the country unlawfully. Preliminary investigations suggest they had traveled through Nepal after originating from Bangladesh and then crossed into India via West Bengal. Interrogation and deportation procedures are now underway.

Meanwhile, in Vadodara, law enforcement intercepted more than 500 individuals in a sweeping verification drive. Of those detained, five have already been confirmed as Bangladeshi nationals. Police continue to cross-check identities and documents to determine further action.

The sweeping operations mark a clear signal from state authorities that illegal occupation and unauthorised immigration will be met with decisive measures. As civic bodies and police tighten their grip, more such drives may follow — not just to enforce building laws, but to address deeper concerns over border control, urban planning, and national security.