Bawling babies, screaming adults at the Azad Maidan
Hasso, khushiyan manao, ab to aap log jo chahte theh woh ho gaya naa. Hum to garib hain na mar bhi jaen to kisko farak padta hai.’ These were the words of Saidul Sheikh, who lost his shelter in the demolitions of Mankhurd, a couple of months ago and had constructed a shanty in Azad Maidan which was demolished following High Court’s order yesterday. There were around and over 90 families like Saidul Sheikh’s moved of the maidan yesterday.
After a PIL filed by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on August 16, the court ordered demolition of illegal hutments at Azad Maidan which was carried out yesterday under tight security by BMC.
There were around 43 structures in Azad Maidan constructed by those who lost their homes during the demolition in Mankhurd’s Mandala area in March this year. To protest the government’s movement, these slumdwellers constructed shanties at Azad Maidan and had been camping there ever since.
Yesterday, these people were being forcibly evacuated from their shanties. Little children’s were bawling while their helpless parents had no option but to move out of the place. Among the crowd were little children including infants who were born at Azad Maidan.
Incidentally, some of those who were forced out of the maidan said their ration cards and other valid documents kept in the shanties were destroyed after the police yanked them out of the place, not even giving them enough time to salvage their belongings. During the demolition, around 60 people were arrested during the eviction drive and were presented before the court.
N B Mote, Deputy Director of Sports, Maharashtra, said, “This land was reserved for sports and protests not for staying or making shanties. The court has ordered evacuation so these shanties were demolished.” After the demolition, entry points to the maidan were shut by police and no one was allowed in. The evacuated people were left out on the streets, literally.
Cops do their duty, but ‘half-heartedly’
Men in khakhi were torn between human sentiment and the call of duty. It was their duty to evacuate the place as ordered by Court but the cops did not seem too happy doing their job. Said one of the policeman who did not wish to be identified, “We too have a family and know how a family suffers when it loses its shelter. But we have to follow orders.”
Other protestors too evacuated
Yesterday’s demolition did not only snatch away the shelter of slumdwellers but also of those who were protesting since over five years at Azad Maidan on various issues.
Shambhu Saxena, had been agitating since over five years to save youth from drugs and narcotics, said, “They served us a notice and demolished my shanty which is against the law. After demolition I was made to seek fresh permission from the City Collector who asked me to seek permission from the DCP and harassed me for no reason.”
He further said that by doing all that they are trying to suppress the voices against the government.