Over 20 families were in a state of shock when they woke up. BBMP workers carried out a demolition drive as part of a road widening programme, leaving many families homeless.
Over 20 families were in a state of shock when they woke up on Wednesday morning. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) workers carried out a demolition drive as part of a road widening programme, leaving many families homeless. The tension was palpable in JD Mara slum on Bannerghatta Main Road as families were displaced with no place to go after the demolition work began. The residents also alleged that policemen manhandled women.
The Bangalore Development Authority, which acquired the land as part of the expansion of Bannerghatta Road had handed over the demolition work to the BBMP. The area has been slated for expansion in the present Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). The area is part of a road-widening project and will have a 150-foot road from Shopper's Stop to JD Mara circle.
Children wept as their belongings were flung from their homes by BBMP workers.
Ralph, a private sector employee, who has been living in the 20x20 house for the last 10 years said that the families did not get any intimation about the demolition. "We were informed that the land was owned by one Srinivas Raju and he wants build a hotel.
About a couple of months ago, he relocated 45 families to a layout in Kalkere and also gave each family Rs5 lakh. We were not offered any relocation or money,'' he said. The families claim that they have documents of ownership, while the BDA officials deny this.
According to Ralph, the BBMP workers, along with the Mico layout police reached the spot at 8.30am and started the demolition at 9.30am. "About 20 houses were demolished. Women were alone at home, and the policemen manhandled women,'' he said.
Three people, Suresh, Raniamma, and Vanita were arrested by Mico layout police. ``There were no women constables and the male constables misbehaved with the women,'' said Ralph. When asked for a clarification on this allegation, Mico layout inspector, Sudhakara said that the corporation had asked for protection and two police battalions were assigned for the demolition.
"We are only doing our duty. The demolition was to be carried out three days ago. But it was postponed,'' he said.
The BBMP assistant executive engineer (Arekere) Narasimha Babu, said that the officers were only following orders given by the BBMP commissioner. "We had notified them earlier that this area was to be used for road-widening,'' he said.
Srinivas Raju, a businessman who owned the land that has now been acquired by the BDA and handed over to the BBMP, said that he had given 65 families one acre of land with a 20x20 sq ft house each. "Since they were staying in those houses for several years, they got absolute ownership, but it was not regularised. It was acquired by the government for expansion work. We then created a layout for 65 houses in Kalkere.
About two months ago, we relocated 45 families and also gave them money. Twenty families were not cooperating. They were served a notice 10 days ago by the BDA and BBMP,'' he added.
He said that the rehabilitated families have documents for ownership. "We will rehabilitate the rest of the families as well. Earlier, they never approached us and were demanding more money,'' said Raju.
The slum-dwellers had written a letter to the district administrative in 2006, requesting clarification. In response to this request, in a letter dated January 9, 2006, the DC, Bangalore North directed the residents to vacate the land within 15 days, failing which legal action would be taken.
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