Anti-encroachment drive at Tughlaqabad Fort; ‘didn’t tell us it was happening today,’ allege residents
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Many residents alleged they were not told of the exact date of the drive, only that it may take place sometime after April 26. They said they were shocked to see the excavators and had no time to take their furniture and other belongings. (Express Photo) Nearly a week after the Delhi High Court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to remove encroachments in and around Tughlaqabad Fort, the organisation along with district officials started the drive at Bangali Camp in Tughlakabad village, Sunday morning.
Three-four excavators were called early in the morning and at least 50-60 houses were razed on day one. Security was tightened at the camp — police and CRPF personnel put up barricades in every lane and were asked to maintain security and peace in the area. Residents and tenants, who were removed from their homes prior to it, were seen picking up the remains of their belongings at noon.
Officials at the spot who refused to be named, said more than 1,000 houses, apart from shops and huts, will be removed.
Many residents alleged they were not told of the exact date of the drive, only that it may take place sometime after April 26. They said they were shocked to see the excavators and had no time to take their furniture and other belongings. Officials on the ground, however, said a notice was issued to vacate after April 26.
Tabassum (17), a student at a Delhi government school, alleged, “My bhabhi and I were at home. My parents are not in Delhi. They pushed us and kicked us out. I didn’t even have time to take my documents… They didn’t tell us it was happening today. My house is now rubble… we have not been offered any place for resettlement.”
Security was tightened at the camp – police and CRPF personnel put up barricades in every lane and were asked to maintain security and peace in the area. (Express Photo)
She and her friends were seen removing laptops, TV and utensils from under the bricks and concrete. Like them, several families stood outside what was left of their homes with buckets and boxes, hoping to recover their belongings.
Rekha Biswas (30) rushed home around 1 pm and almost collapsed when she saw it had been razed. “We would have left with our belongings had they (authorities) informed us of the date. What was the need to do this today? I was working when my neighbours called and informed me about the drive. Everything is gone. We had a TV, cooler and other furniture. I had some jewellery in an almirah. How will I get it? I don’t know what I am going to do. I am waiting for my husband who is also at his factory,” said Rekha, who works as a domestic help.
Some residents left the area after collecting furniture and other belongings while others sat on the rubble in protest.
Jaleshwar (38), who works as a helper at Dr Dang’s Lab, said, “My wife and I have three children… They study at Kendriya Vidyalaya. All their books, uniforms and bags were inside. We couldn’t take anything… We can’t even send them to school tomorrow. We don’t know where we will live. I was hoping the drive would be delayed. We don’t have anything to eat as all our ration is destroyed. We had kilos of rice, pulses and wheat. Is it our fault that we are poor and couldn’t afford a better place? Why did they allow us to build houses? Now, we have nothing left.”
Jaleshwar’s neighbour and friend Virendra, who works as a driver, alleged, “My family has been here since 2013. We don’t have clothes or food now. Police beat us up and dragged us out. What was the need to do this? They could have given us a day or two.”
Police denied allegations of using force and said personnel were deployed to keep a check on the drive.
Last week, a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that the case pertained to “large scale encroachments in and around Tughlaqabad Fort and that the matter had travelled up to the Supreme Court” and the apex court, in its February 14, 2016, order “makes it very clear that encroachments are to be removed”.
The court also noted that ASI has already pasted “1,238 notices over various structures” in question which are encroaching the Fort. The ASI expressed its helplessness before the bench in removing the illegal structures due to non-cooperation by other authorities, the court noted.
The bench thereafter said, the court can’t be a “silent spectator” in view of the orders passed by the Supreme Court. The court thereafter directed the ASI to take “appropriate action in accordance with law to remove all encroachments” and that the “Sub-Divisional Magistrate South East and the MCD will provide logistical support and the Commissioner of Police is also directed to provide logistical support”. The court directed that the action be carried out within four weeks.
The MCD’s counsel said “categorically in open court that it will provide all logistical support for removal of encroachments”. The High Court further said that in case the order passed by the court is “not complied with”, the court will call for the “personal appearance” of Director ASI, Commissioner MCD, Commissioner Delhi Police and the SDM concerned. The matter is next listed on May 26.
(inputs from Malavika Prasad)
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