Kotpad Administration Clears Illegal Encroachments, Triggers Mixed Reactions

Kotpad, 1st Aug 2025: For the third time, bulldozers have rolled through Kotpad NAC (Notified Area Council) to demolish illegal encroachments on government land. This step taken by the administration has received praise from many local residents, while others have expressed strong disapproval.

According to several locals, the administration appears to be targeting only the poor and working-class people, sparing the influential and wealthy. They allege that in the Kenduguda area, some government employees have illegally occupied acres of public land, and certain wealthy individuals and politicians have even sold off such land for personal gain, amassing large sums of money. Despite being aware of these violations, the local administration has reportedly turned a blind eye, say the residents.

Meanwhile, the poor and working-class settlers are the ones facing the brunt of the crackdown, triggering resentment.

A few days ago, the administration had demolished certain encroachments. However, new structures have reportedly been built in those very places—even larger than before. Locals also allege that the administration has quietly granted approvals to these structures in exchange for bribes.

On Sunday, in the presence of the Kotpad NAC Executive Officer and the local Tehsildar, some illegal structures were demolished after prior notices had been served. However, other demolitions were reportedly carried out without any notice, leading to complaints from affected homeowners who are now demanding compensation for their losses.

This is the current situation, but looking back a few days, there were prior incidents where:

• Some encroachments had been demolished
• In some cases, government notices for demolition had been issued
• But these notices were not acted upon, and
• In one such case, a public drainage line (nali) was found to be buried beneath new illegal construction, according to complaints.
• Residents are now demanding that the administration strictly enforce the rules without bias, and refrain from showing a discriminatory attitude.
• It remains to be seen how the administration will respond to these allegations and what actions it will take going forward.