Team Herald
PONDA: More than 31 families are likely to be rendered homeless in Ward 11 of Shapur-Bandora after the Ponda Civil Court has issued a demolition order of hutments and eviction of inmates from the illegally occupied land,
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On Tuesday morning, the landowner, accompanied by an advocate and a JCB excavator, arrived at the hutment area to carry out the court-mandated demolition of illegal structures. The sudden arrival caused panic among the slum dwellers, including children, as they were warned to vacate their homes. The atmosphere turned emotional, with many residents expressing sorrow and uncertainty about their future.
Responding to the crisis, Bandora Sarpanch Ramchandra Naik, along with other panchayat members and former panchayat member Rajesh Naik, rushed to the site and urged the landowner and advocate to grant the residents at least a month to make alternative housing arrangements. After negotiations, the landowner and legal representative agreed to extend the deadline, granting the slum dwellers 15 days to vacate the area.
Speaking on the matter, Sarpanch Ramchandra Naik stated, “Following the court order, the Mulla family had decided to demolish the 31 huts. However, on humanitarian grounds, the panchayat requested additional time for the residents, and the landlord and his advocate agreed to a 15-day extension.”
Former panchayat member Rajesh Naik highlighted the long-standing presence of the slum dwellers in the area, saying, “I have seen these families living here since my childhood. They have been here for the past fifty to sixty years. However, the Mulla family filed a petition in court, which resulted in this demolition order. Since it is the month of Ramzan, we requested the landowners to delay the demolition on humanitarian grounds, and they agreed to grant a 15-day reprieve.”
Many of the affected families are now left in distress, unsure of where to go once the deadline expires. “We have lived here for generations; we were born and raised in these huts. Now, we don’t know where to go,” said a resident, reflecting the fear and uncertainty among the community. Several residents have urged the government to provide them with rehabilitation or alternative housing solutions to prevent them from becoming homeless.
