Jodhpur, March 29 -- The Rajasthan High Court has stayed, until the next hearing, the demolition drive targeting houses constructed within the protected zone of the Sonar Fort in Jaisalmer city. The court directed the Collector of Jaisalmer to appear personally before it on April 8 to file a response, along with the complete records and a proposed rehabilitation plan for the affected persons. Justice Kuldeep Mathur passed the order on Friday while hearing petitions filed by residents of Jaisalmer city. They challenge notices issued under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. According to notices, the petitioners' houses are proposed to be demolished on the ground that they were constructed in a prohibited zone. The petitioners submitted that more than 300 to 400 houses belonging to residents of Jaisalmer exist in the concerned area and were built based on various permissions. However, enforcement action is being taken only against a select few, which they alleged is arbitrary. Representing the Centre, ASG Bharat Vyas said demolition orders have been issued only in cases where proceedings before competent authority concluded. The bench said: "Considering the fact that more than 300-400 persons have constructed their houses/buildings in the prohibited area under the AMASR Act and are now facing the threat of demolition, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the District Collector, Jaisalmer, to remain present before this Court on April 8 along with the complete record, as well as a proposed plan for rehabilitation of the affected 300-400 persons, in the event that their houses/buildings are found to have been constructed in violation..."...