Madhya Pradesh: Administration’s bulldozer hits 386 houses in Bhopal, entry of media banned – ground report
Action was taken to remove the encroachment following the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the residents allege that the government made them homeless by demolishing their houses.
Published on: 25 Feb 2024, 12:11 pm
Bhopal. In the last two days, 386 houses were razed to the ground by bulldozers in the ugly slum area of the capital. The media was also banned in joint action by the Municipal Corporation and the District Administration. Due to the ongoing action in the presence of more than 500 policemen, the road was blocked by barricading 1 kilometer away. Except the administration, no one was allowed inside.
All the houses in the nearly 100 year old dilapidated slum were demolished on Saturday. The Mooknayak team reached Bhadbhada Basti but now only the debris of the settlement was scattered here. Some people were taking household items to other places in loading vehicles, some people were taking out bricks from the debris of the houses.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered the removal of 386 houses. The administration had given time till Tuesday and asked the residents to vacate their houses. But people said that they would stay here until they were displaced to another place. Following the instructions of NGT, the action has been going on for three days. To avoid any uproar, the police have blocked the road by barricading 1 kilometer before the settlement. 500 police personnel are deployed. Ten JCBs were deployed to demolish the houses.
As soon as the process of demolishing the house started, the residents started screaming. The women kept crying and pleading with the authorities to stop the action but the bulldozer action did not stop. Meanwhile, the health of some people also deteriorated after which they were admitted to the hospital.
Resident Firoz B. sitting on the debris of her house. Photo- Ankit Pachauri, The Mooknayak
While talking to The Mooknayak, Firoz Bi, a resident of the colony, said that her family has been living here for the last hundred years, her father also lived in this colony. Firoz told that the Municipal Corporation was already sending the notice. But the action of demolishing the house was taken suddenly. Firoz said, “In the morning, the police and administration started demolishing the houses. We were not even given time to take out our household items. The administration did not even make arrangements for food. When relatives brought food, they did not allow us to enter inside.”
Another resident, Mohammad Aslam Usman, said, “The administration and the police took action out of panic. Goods were taken out of the houses of the residents and thrown out. We never thought that the house would be demolished. There is no arrangement for our living now.” If the government had to evict us, it should have made arrangements for our living first.”
The Municipal Corporation has provided loading vehicles for shifting the belongings of the residents. Some people have been given land lease in Chandpur Berasia area, while others have been given a compensation amount of Rs 1 lakh or the option of Prime Minister’s residence.
Congress opposed the removal of the settlement
Congress has also written a letter to the Human Rights Commission against the bulldozer action on slum Bhadbhada. Former minister PC Sharma said that the examinations for class 10th-12th are going on. Meanwhile, bulldozers were used on the houses. People’s consent to vacate their homes is being taken by placing a gun on their temples. Former minister Sharma said, “Electricity and water connections were cut without notice. People were not allowed to take out their belongings. There is no provision for food and drink there.”
