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NHRC notices to DDA, govt over hostel for blind

The human rights body observed that the hostel was reportedly being run on encroached land

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi government for demolishing a private hostel for visually impaired students. The hostel was reportedly encroaching upon public land in west Delhi's Janakpuri and since its demolition on December 15, over 20 residents have been living out in the cold.

Issuing notices to DDA vice-chairman and chief secretary of the Delhi government, the Commission asked for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks, including the number of shelter homes, hostels in Delhi available for students, especially for the visually impaired or other specially-abled persons, and the extension of facilities for stay and food.

The human rights body observed that the hostel was reportedly being run on encroached land.

"DDA officials have reportedly accepted that the occupants were not cautioned in writing and were not given adequate time to take out their belongings. Considering the cold weather conditions in Delhi, the DDA authorities should have been sensible towards the occupants. They are visually impaired and cannot respond to such a sudden action. Without any proper shelter and basic amenities, they are forced to stay in the open, which amounts to violation of their right to life and dignity," the NHRC said in a statement.

The Louis Welfare Progressive Association of the Blind hostel had been operating in that building for the last 17 years. The occupants were mostly students of Delhi University or the nearby Sarvodaya school.

"Many of them have misplaced their academic documents and gadgets. They have alleged that they were given no information about the demolition or even ample time to gather their belongings," it stated.

The DDA, however, maintained that the occupants were informed well in advance but orally, as they were yet to procure a stay order from the court. The DDA officials said they have sympathise with the occupants but the action was decided by the management and the students can now live in several government hostels, instead of a private hostel built upon encroached land.

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