Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has handed over keys of flats to the residents of Islam Nagar whose houses were bulldozed in 2011.
On 7 April 2011, a police team arrived at Islam Nagar early morning and asked residents to vacate their homes within a very short span of 15 minutes. When they requested additional time, the officers firmly stated that no extensions would be granted. As the residents began to gather their belongings, JCBs arrived and demolished their homes. In just 10 minutes, their entire residence was reduced to debris. Since that day, they have been compelled to live in a slum.
Abdul Bari and MD Shafiq are now filled with joy after receiving the keys to their new apartments. They expressed that following the demolition of their previous home, they found themselves without a place to reside in the city. Consequently, they constructed a temporary hut in Islam Nagar. With the acquisition of their apartment keys, they now feel a sense of security and can finally rest peacefully under a stable roof.
A significant number of homeless individuals from Islam Nagar participated in the event. Former Ward Councillor Nazima Raza stated that over a thousand homes were razed in Islam Nagar, yet only 291 individuals have been allocated flats. Consequently, many residents will continue to reside in slum conditions. They appealed to the Chief Minister to facilitate the construction of additional flats for the remaining residents of Islam Nagar, emphasizing that there is ample land available for such development. This initiative would ensure housing for those still in need, enabling them to secure their own residences.
