‘Fire took everything… then DDA came with bulldozers & razed what was left’: Residents of Delhi slum gutted in blaze

This was after the DDA carried out a demolition drive in the area, removing any structure that was left on the five-acre land. The DDA did not respond to queries sent by The Indian Express.

Anticipating that he will have to leave the basti soon, Subrato Sheikh (28) said, “Selling scrap will at least give me some money to buy food for my children.”

A predominantly Muslim settlement, most residents work as ragpickers or house help.

While children were seen moving around with magnets on Wednesday to attract metal scrap, many were also collecting plastic bottles. Residents said while scrap metal is sold around Rs 20 per kg, plastic bottles are worth Rs 25 per kg.
Many of them are thinking of heading back to Bardhaman in West Bengal, where most of the residents hail from. “If we don;t find a cheap place to stay soon, we will have to go back to the village,” Sheikh said.

For many others, however, moving back home is not an option. “How will we pay for the train tickets? And what are we supposed to do once we go back? None of us has any land where we can grow crops,” said Rubila Bibi (40).

“We have been here for more than 30 years. What will we do in Bengal? We don’t know anybody there now,” she added.

Suleman Sheikh (30), another resident, said, “First, the fire took away everything. Today, the DDA came with bulldozers and, without any warning, demolished whatever was left. We couldn’t save any belongings.”

“During elections, politicians come for votes, call us mothers and sisters. After elections, this is what they do. Where will we take our children now? What about their schooling? Will they also pick up garbage like us?” asked Rupsana (28), wife of Suleman.

“… At least it should have given us a day or two,” she added.