Lucknow Group Pledges to Stop State Government's Demolition Drive in Besieged Locality

2024-07-26 04:20:56

Forum Opposes State Government's Demolition Drive in Lucknow

"The State cannot deprive people of homes they have lived in for 80–90 years over its Kukrail river revival project. The government cannot be allowed to hurt common people."

The Lucknow Bachao Sangarsh Samiti, a coalition of civil society members and political parties, has pledged to prevent the State Government from demolishing any more homes in Lucknow as part of its urban project. The forum demands compensation and rehabilitation for Akbar Nagar residents displaced by the demolitions. They plan to launch a campaign on July 26 to raise awareness about the demolition drive in U.P.’s capital, criticizing the State Government’s actions as dictatorial. They argue that the government is using its rejuvenation agenda to override the rights of the people, with various left-wing parties joining the cause.

"The government violated people’s fundamental right to live and evicted them. To date, proper compensation has not been provided to the victims in Akbar Nagar. The one-room homes allocated to them in the Vasant Kunj project are a farce, lacking basic facilities like health services and schools. Additionally, a ₹3,300 monthly loan for 15 years is required to avail of the new accommodations, which is unacceptable," said Imran Raza, a member of Lucknow Bachao Sangarsh Samiti.

State Misadventure

Mr. Raza stated that the group formed in response to the State Government’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and their "misadventure against the poor." "In the name of rejuvenation, we witnessed what happened in Akbar Nagar. They attempted similar tactics in Pant Nagar, Rahimnagar, and Indraprastha Nagar, but retreated after facing pushback. The State cannot deprive people of homes they have lived in for 80–90 years over its Kukrail river revival project. The government cannot be allowed to hurt common people," said Mr. Raza.

Over the past six months, demolition drives in the Akbar Nagar locality have led to the destruction of hundreds of houses. Last week, irrigation department officials marked many houses in Pantnagar, Rahim Nagar, and Indraprastha Nagar localities, which are within 50 meters of the green belt on the Kukrail riverbed, a protected area. This has sparked fear among locals of imminent demolitions.

Mr. Raza stated that the group formed in response to the State Government’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and their "misadventure against the poor." "In the name of rejuvenation, we witnessed what happened in Akbar Nagar. They attempted similar tactics in Pant Nagar, Rahimnagar, and Indraprastha Nagar, but retreated after facing pushback. The State cannot deprive people of homes they have lived in for 80–90 years over its Kukrail river revival project. The government cannot be allowed to hurt common people," said Mr. Raza.

Over the past six months, demolition drives in the Akbar Nagar locality have led to the destruction of hundreds of houses. Last week, irrigation department officials marked many houses in Pantnagar, Rahim Nagar, and Indraprastha Nagar localities, which are within 50 meters of the green belt on the Kukrail riverbed, a protected area. This has sparked fear among locals of imminent demolitions.

In response, some residents posted copies of house and land registry papers, bank loan details, electricity bills, and house tax receipts outside their homes to prove their legality. Placards reading "Save our Shelter" have appeared throughout the locality, home to more than 20,000 people. Amid the uproar, U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath met with residents of Rahim Nagar, Pant Nagar, and Indraprastha Nagar, assuring them that there was no justification for marking homes and alleviating fears of demolition.