The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced comprehensive support for residents of Madrasi Camp in Delhi’s Jangpura, who wish to return to their native districts following a demolition drive. DMK government pledged assistance for livelihood and other essential needs, with coordination facilitated through the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi and district collectors.
The demolition, carried out to clear “illegal encroachments” as per a Delhi High Court order, has displaced hundreds of families, predominantly of Tamil Nadu origin. All legal petitions filed by the residents were dismissed by the High Court on May 9, clearing the way for demolition.
The decades-old camp, built overlooking the Barapullah drain near Nizamuddin Railway Station, housed 370 tenements and was predominantly inhabited by families originally from Tamil Nadu.
The Delhi government was directed to relocate the families as the camp was allegedly blocking the Barapullah drain, which was leading to waterlogging.
On Sunday, CPIML condemned “the brutal demolition” stating that “bulldozing people’s homes without providing them with reasonable and dignified rehabilitation is unacceptable”.
“The BJP had promised to put a stop to demolitions during the recent Delhi Assembly elections, but their policies have expectedly turned out to be anti-working class.”
As per court direction, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board determined that only 215 out of the 370 residents in the camp were eligible for rehabilitation. These families were allotted residential units in Narela, a northern suburb over 35 km from the camp.
