Team Herald
PONDA: Tension prevailed in Ward No. 11 of Shapur in the Bandora Panchayat on Thursday, as 22 huts were demolished following a civil court order, rendering the slum dwellers of the area homeless. A large posse of police was deployed at the demolition site to maintain law and order.
Heated arguments erupted between the two groups of slum dwellers after the demolition.
It may be recalled that a fortnight ago, while disposing of the petition, the Court had ordered the demolition of the illegal huts after the owner had approached the court.
However, following a request from Sarpanch Ramchandra Naik and former sarpanch Rajesh Naik to grant some time for slum dwellers to make alternative arrangements on humanitarian ground, the action was delayed by 15 days.
Fifteen days later, the demolition order was implemented on Thursday under police protection.
Following the demolition, slum dwellers while speaking to OHeraldo, said they have been residing here for the past 30 to 40 years.
Aggrieved by the demolition of her hut, a septuagenarian, who felt she had lost everything, questioned the mediapersons as to why they were clicking photos of the people being rendered homeless.
She asked: “What are you trying to show? Who will help us? We have been residing here for the past 40 years.”
The slum dwellers, whose huts were demolished, said, “There are around 100 huts near Safa Masjid, which is a protected site. We are voters of the area as we possess election and Aadhaar cards. Now, nobody is bothered to help us in our difficult times.”
Some residents alleged that one of the former panch members let them down with false promises
It may be recalled that O Heraldo had highlighted the plight of residents of these huts last year, who were living in unhygienic condition. The septuagenarian thanked O Heraldo for visiting them last year and highlighting their plight.