Rajkot: Residents of several residential societies in Rajkot have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector seeking an extension of the Disturbed Areas Act (Ashant Dhara) in areas where it is currently in force, while also demanding that it be extended to additional localities.

According to the residents, the law has been implemented in 42 residential societies, including 28 societies in Ward No. 2 and 14 societies in the Aji Dam area. They stated that the existing five-year term of the notification in 28 of these societies is set to expire in January. More than 200 residents from these housing societies have submitted a representation requesting that the term be extended across all notified areas.

In their submission, the residents claimed that properties in several localities are being purchased by members of minority communities, which they allege could affect “the safety of Hindu residents” and impact property prices. They further stated that such developments could “disturb peace in Rajkot” and may create a situation where “Hindu residents may be compelled to migrate” from the affected neighbourhoods.

Residents have also urged the Collector to continue or implement Ashant Dhara in areas including Vardhaman Nagar, Prahlad Plot, Jayaraj Plot, Hathikhana, Saurashtra Kala Kendra, Jungleshwar to Neelkanth Park, Kedar Society, Sadar to Raiya Village, Rasulpara to Vavdi, Dudhni Deri, Kotharia, and Gangotri Park Main Road. They have additionally demanded immediate restrictions on the sale and purchase of property in these localities under the provisions of the Disturbed Areas Act.

Speaking to the media, Ajay Bhatt, a resident, said that the five-year term of Ashant Dhara enforced in the first phase will expire next month, and residents are demanding that the period be extended by 10 years.

Another resident, Deepak Bhatt, stated that incidents of communal unrest had occurred in some parts of the city in recent years, and therefore, “for peace and security of the city, extension of the Ashant Dhara period is necessary.” He further demanded that the law be applied in new societies where petitions have been submitted.

The application is currently under examination by the district administration. DeshGujarat