Nuh violence: "Had Punjab and Haryana court not taken cognizance demolitions...," says victims' lawyer Mohammad Arshad

Nuh (Haryana) [India], August 7 (ANI): Mohammad Arshad, lawyer of the victims said that if the Punjab and Haryana court had not taken cognizance of the demolitions in Nuh, the number of demolition cases could have increased.
"According to the media reports so far, about 176 demolition cases have come to light. If the High Court had not taken cognizance, the number could have increased," Mohammad Arshad said.
Speaking about the order of the Punjab and Haryana court, Mohammad Arshad said, "The court takes cognizance when a common citizen does not approach the court regarding injustice. After this, whatever order the High Court passes, the government has to follow it."
Mohammad Arshad added that more complaints are being filed and petitioners are coming forward. The government needs to rehabilitate those whose houses were demolished.
"In this case, more complaints are being filed, the petitioners are coming forward. At present, the government needs to see that the people whose houses were destroyed are rehabilitated," he said.
The demolition drive launched by the district administration in Haryana's Nuh district was halted on  Monday following orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) said.
Deputy Commissioner of Nuh district, Dhirendra Khadgata, asked the concerned officials to stop the demolition drive going on in the district for the past four days.
Days after the incidents of violence, Nuh district administration had launched a drive and started razing down illegal structures and buildings including those from where stones were allegedly pelted on a religious procession. 
Deputy Commisioner, Dhirendra Khadgata, and Superintendent of Police (SP) Narender Bijarniya, reached the main market in Nuh, on Monday and held discussions with locals. The officials also assured them of their safety and treid to convince them into opening their shops and other commercial establishments.
"Officials have assured us that police teams deployed in the market areas. Apart from this, a police post will be set up near the market and adequate security arrangements will be made. People here have agreed to open their shops, as the curfew restrictions have been relaxed," locals said. (ANI)