August 8, 2024 New Delhi: The bulldozers of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) continued their operation for the second consecutive day in the Khyber Pass area of North Delhi, demolishing structures deemed illegal by the authorities. The government asserts that the land belongs to the Ministry of Defence, rendering the constructions unauthorized. The plight of the displaced residents is heart-wrenching as they struggle to find shelter.
The DDA’s demolition drive in Khyber Pass has faced severe backlash from the residents, who claim they were not given adequate time to relocate. Many families, now homeless, argue that they were evicted without cause. The demolition drive has already affected around 250 houses in the area over the past few weeks.
Appeals Denied, Families Left Homeless
Among those affected is national coach Samaresh Jung, who voiced his concerns over the demolition. Despite his protest and reference to the short notice given, the Delhi High Court on August 5th refused to stay the demolition of his residence. Jung expressed his dismay, stating, “Even if I had received a stay, living here would be unimaginable now that the entire area where I grew up is destroyed.”
According to a report by the Times of India, Rakesh Kumar, a 62-year-old resident whose house was demolished on Monday, has been tutoring children at home for years. Holding a plastic bag with documents dating back to 1951 when his father first settled there, Kumar lamented, “I was born and grew old here. I never thought it would end like this.”
Education Disrupted, Future Uncertain
Sandhya, another resident, worries about her children’s education as their exams were missed due to the upheaval. “My husband’s earnings fed our family, and now we have no roof over our heads. How will we survive? If they wanted us to vacate, they should have given us more time,” she said, sitting amidst her household items. Last night’s heavy rain added to their misery.
Human rights activists are demanding compensation and rehabilitation for the displaced families. Social worker Nirmal Gorana stated that the affected people should be provided with alternative housing. He questioned why the area, inhabited since the British Army’s time, was not surveyed as a slum.
The demolition has left hundreds of families in distress, highlighting the need for a more humane approach to urban development and displacement.
