In New AAP vs Centre Row, Delhi Slum Demolition Protest in Parliament

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 14, 2015:  Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will protest at Parliament against the demolition of over 500 homes in a slum cluster by the railway police on Saturday, in which a baby girl allegedly died.

The party has also given notice in the Lok Sabha for a discussion on the incident, which is set to become a new flashpoint between the AAP government and the Centre.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted this morning that he had asked for an appointment with Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. He has demanded murder charges against the railway police, who report to the Centre.

Hundreds were left homeless in the rising cold after the anti-encroachment drive in the slum in Shakur Basti in west Delhi, reportedly to make way for a new passenger terminal.

The residents say they were never warned about the demolition.

Six-month-old Rukaiya died in the chaos when her family was trying to pack up their belongings and run out, her father alleges.

"As the officials came knocking, we started quickly packing our belongings. In the mess we did not realise when a heap of clothes fell on her, and she died," said Mohammad Anwar.

Anwar says his daughter would have been alive if officials had given some more time.

"My child, who had just started seeing the world, would have been by my side today if the officials had shown generosity and given us little time and a warning," said Anwar, who has two more children, a daughter, 5, and son, 3.

The Railways said in a statement on Sunday that the slum residents were given several notices asking them to vacate the land for a new terminal. The railway police also claim that the infant died before the demolition drive began.

"It was an illegal encroachment. We were well within the law to demolish the shanties. The SHO Punjabi Bagh got a call at 10 am informing him about the child’s death. The demolition drive took place after that. We should wait for post-mortem report," said a railway spokesperson.

Mr Kejriwal visited the area late last night. "This is highly condemnable. God will not forgive them. They (officers involved) should be booked for murder," he said there.

His government has suspended three senior officials for failing to provide relief material to the residents.
 
During his poll campaign, Mr Kejriwal had promised that his government would replace slums with permanent structures and would not raze a single home.

After visiting the demolition site, he tweeted: "Coming back from the demolition site. Heart rending scenes. How cud our own countrymen do this to our poorest fellow countrymen (sic)."

 

Courtesy: NDTV