Junagadh: Residents of several societies in the Dolatpara area of Junagadh gathered in large numbers on Friday and submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police and the District Collector. Residents of these Hindu-majority localities raised slogans demanding a halt to the purchase of houses by people of other religions and sought the immediate implementation of the Disturbed Areas Act (“Ashant Dhara”).

The residents alleged that houses in the area are being deliberately allocated to people from minority communities and warned of launching a public agitation if the issue is not resolved and the Act is not enforced. Highlighting one case, locals claimed that a house belonging to Geetaben Jitubhai Solanki was sealed by a housing finance company following a loan default, and that the seized property is now being offered to a buyer from a minority community, allegedly to alter the area’s demographic profile.

A Bajrang Dal activist participating in the protest said repeated representations have been made over the past four years for the implementation of the Ashant Dhara, but no action has been taken, warning of a fierce agitation if the administration remains inactive.

Another local resident, Jashuben Dobaria, said residents, especially women, are facing difficulties due to rising social tension, adding that people gathered for the protest after leaving their daily work.

Former Standing Committee chairman of the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, Haresh Parsana, supported the demand, stating that a committee has been formed, a survey is underway, and a proposal will be sent to the government after the report is submitted. DeshGujarat