We are not encroachers but victims, say Khori Basti residents
The Hindu
SC had ordered demolition of the illegal colony on forest land
The husband and son of Bimlesh, a 48-year-old resident of Khori Basti here, had been in and out of work for a year now due to the pandemic. Pushed to a hand-to-mouth existence, the family, owning a small home in the colony, however, never had to worry about rent. But soon, arranging the rent every month could be their biggest concern once their home is demolished in adherence to a Supreme Court order. The woman and her husband, a private security guard, had borrowed money from their relatives and put all their life’s savings to buy the plot for around ₹3 lakh a decade ago. The couple was happy to finally have a roof over their heads. But the court order earlier this month to demolish the illegal houses in the forest area has turned their world upside down. “The people in the basti have lost their sleep and appetite over the fear of demolition. Just when the lockdown was being lifted and the people were gradually getting back to work, the administration pasted notices asking us to vacate our homes. Most of the people have been without work in the colony for a year now and are not left with any savings. The third wave of the coronavirus is around the corner. We don’t have enough to even rent a room. Where does the administration expect us to go in this situation?,” asked Bimlesh, in a choking voice.More Related News