People of a locality commonly known as Majnu Ka Tila in the national capital are on the verge of eviction as the Delhi Development Authority DDA is all set to undertake the eviction drive on the areas allegedly encroaching the banks of Yamuna on July 13 and 14.
Under the DDA’s directive, the residents have been served a notice about the demolition that is to occur shortly. The locality is inhabited by Pakistani Hindu refugees, who have constructed their temporary dwellings in tents for more than thirty years. However, the DDA argued that these structures were constructed in the Yamuna Flood Plain, which is a dangerous zone given any influx of water.
For his part, the governor has asked the local police to escort and contain any disturbances during the drive. The DDA has also clarified that the structure that belongs to the petitioner who approached the Delhi High Court will not be affected by this demolition.
On the issue of eviction, the residents complained that the management dragged them through the legal process before finally evicting them, and they were not given ample time to move out. Most of them have been in the area for several years, and their children attend schools within the government compounds.
Well, the DDA’s IT move to remove these encroachments is quite correct, considering the court orders; however, it is still uncertain how the authorities will address the residents’ issues and Yamuna Flood Plain Environmentalism.
