Phuentshogling thromde demolished eight houses settled illegally near Bhalujhora bridge in Pasakha yesterday. The residents were unhappy with the move.
The occupants settled there about three decades ago. Of the thirteen households, only five have the land certificate. The eight houses, without the land certificate, were demolished. According to the residents, they have paid the amount to the landowner and have the documents too. They said they have put up letters to every stakeholder only to fall on deaf ears.
However, Thromde says that they have conducted several meetings and consultations with them. Thromde even gave them a temporary lease of six months, which ended last month.
“Thromde has another project coming up in the area. We are building a dry port there. It will be one of the biggest dry ports in the country catering services to every dzongkhags. In a couple of week time, the project will be tendered out. We didn’t demolish the other houses because they were settled legally. We instead compensated them with land in Pasakha itself,” said Uttar Kumar Rai, the Phuentshogling Thrompon.
The Thromde says that all illegal settlements under the thromde will meet with the same fate.
“The team started demolishing from Pasakha. We also have several other illegal settlers under Thromde. Thromde has already issued the notification. We expect the settlers to vacate or demolish the place themselves otherwise we would be taking the action immediately there,” he added.
Thromde is also going to build a basic health unit, shops, fire hydrant, police outpost and other basic amenities in the area.
Sonam Penjor
