Slum-dwellers protest forcible eviction

BHUBANESWAR: Members of Basti Suraksha Manch and slum-dwellers of Tapoban Lane here on Thursday took out a rally at Lower PMG square protesting ‘forcible eviction’.Taking a cue from the anti-Posco agitation at Gobindpur, the agitators also included children in the rally. They alleged that the BMC, BDA and General Administration Department have thrice tried to evict the slum-dwellers of Tapoban lane since May 3 without preparing any rehabilitation plans. They alleged that despite the Orissa High Court ruling that slum-dwellers should be resettled properly before any eviction drive is carried out, the authorities concerned have been dealing with them forcibly and evicting them without providing proper rehabilitation. As a mark of protest, the slum-dwellers of Taponban lane have formed a ‘Maran Sena’ comprising 51 members, including children, to protest the frequent eviction drives. Following the rally, the agitators met the Housing and Urban Development Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak and submitted a 11-point charter of demands. Apart from demanding stop to eviction drive without rehabilitation, the agitators sought implementation of the Orissa Municipal Corporation Act, 2003, in its true spirit. Manch president Sibaram said that the agitators would further intensify their stir and launch fast-unto-death if the administration paid no heed to their demands.  Sources said the Minister had called for a meeting of the BMC, BDA and the slum-dwellers on Friday to sort out the issue.