National pistol shooting coach Samaresh Jung, who recently helped Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh win bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, returned home to a distressing notice. His house in the Khyber Pass locality of Civil Lines, Delhi, is slated for demolition in just two days. The Land and Development Office (LNDO) issued the notice, asserting that the land belongs to the Ministry of Defence and labeling the properties illegal.
Jung expressed confusion and frustration over the abrupt notice, which gave residents only two days to vacate. His family has resided in the area since the 1950s. Despite a court petition against the demolition, the request was rejected. Jung finds it challenging to pack up and leave on such short notice.
The Arjuna Awardee, who has won multiple international medals, took to social media to share his distress. He was particularly shocked by the suddenness of the demolition notice, especially following the celebration of India’s Olympic successes. Jung called for at least two months to vacate and appealed for clarity on the demolition plan.
Speaking to IANS, Jung expressed his bewilderment over the demolition drive. “It is in their plan, and I don’t even know about it. They have declared the entire colony illegal,” he said. He lamented the short notice, stating, “My family has been living here for the last 75 years, since the 1950s. We went to court, but our petition was rejected.”
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He also highlighted the impracticality of vacating the house within two days. “We just want some time. It is not possible that you announce today, and tomorrow we vacate the house and leave,” he stated.
Jung’s social media post on Thursday evening further expressed his anguish, calling the announcement by the LNDO haphazard. “After the euphoria of Indian shooters winning two Olympic medals, I, the team coach, just returned home from the Olympics to the disheartening news that my house and locality are to be demolished in 2 days,” he posted.
A former Asian Games bronze medalist and Beijing 2008 Olympian, Jung, emphasized the need for a dignified exit and appealed for at least two months to vacate properly. He tagged several prominent figures in his post, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha.
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The demolition drive at Khyber Pass in Delhi’s Civil Lines area began last month. According to a Delhi High Court ruling dated July 9, the land initially belonged to the Ministry of Defence. The court permitted the demolition to proceed, provided proper procedures were followed, despite the residents’ challenge.
The urgency and abruptness of the notice have left Jung and other residents in a state of uncertainty and distress, seeking more time and clarity on the situation
