Meerut, April 20 -- In a major relief to several Dalit families facing the threat of eviction in Hapur's Garhmukteshwar, the district administration has suspended all notices issued for alleged land encroachment and initiated a formal inquiry into the matter. Many of the families had been residing in houses provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, officials said.

They added the move followed the revelation that the land in question, though recorded as a pond in government revenue records, had been leased to the residents by the Nagar Palika over three decades ago.

On April 8, the Nagar Palika Parishad served eviction notices to 41 families residing in the Indira Nagar Colony, granting them just 15 days to vacate their homes.

Howe...