Coimbatore: As many as 13 persons were arrested for protesting the eviction of encroachments from a corporation land here.
According to sources, about 300 families are residing in Sai Baba Colony - Jeeva Nagar, for more than a decade in a land that belonged to the corporation.
Despite numerous notices, the encroachers stayed there. Recently, houses were allotted to the encroachers at Vellalore and Keeranatham by the slum clearance board. While 140 residents moved to their allotted houses, the remaining refused to leave.
A few days ago, the corporation gave a final warning and disconnected power supply, but the residents remained there claiming that their children were studying in nearby schools, and demanded extension of time for vacating.
Meanwhile, corporation officials on Tuesday morning went to the spot and demolished several houses with the help of police, and 13 persons were arrested for protesting the eviction.
Since all the residents joined together and staged a protest seeking some more time for vacating, the officials gave up action and returned.
