“My grandfather, a man of astute observation and a lifetime of struggle behind him, pointed to our house one afternoon where our joint family lived and said, ”Kid , this house can tell you my life story better than my own mother.” The house had a very humble beginning like my ‘dadu’ but it stood three storeys high with a plush garden and was humming with life the day of the story. Lifetimes are spent in making a house, lifetimes still to nurture it.”
Ratahra Basti Eviction
A 68 household settlement in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, by the name of Ratahra was asked to find a new place, new address as these were demolished by Rewa Municipal Corporation. They were asked to start a new life because the land belonged to the state. The basti is about 10 years old and people have been living there for 5-10 years. The land was not encroached by people, they were resettled here from Rani Talab in Rewa about 10 years ago. It is happening amid nationwide lockdown announced by the Prime Minister. In the time when police are using force to keep people at home, what does this eviction indicate?
Was proper procedure followed?
Usually the proper procedure is to inform the inhabitants about the reason of eviction, taking consensus of people and then arrange a rehabilitation for them before evicting them but it was not followed in this case. They were served no notice or intimation of any kind. On 9th May, 2020 amidst the corona pandemic when people were supposed to be confined to their homes , the poor labourers of this basti were rendered homeless and at the mercy of this deadly virus.
Did help arrive?
The Anti-eviction Support Cell received information about this eviction and that around 68 households have been severely affected. The stated reason of eviction is encroachment clearance and beautification but no official reason has been forwarded. Due to the existing situation nor any NGO or AESC was able to intervene in this matter. There is also a political vengeance involved in the matter as speculated by the opposition here.
Were people living illegally there?
The people were not living illegally or free of cost. They had all the documents: Aadhar, union card and survey receipt among others. They are still living on the rubbles and struggling for safety and security.
The current situation:
The current situation is that people have been evicted but no rehabilitation has been carried out. This raises health concerns not only for the evicted people but all others who might come into contact with them. It leaves the poor labourers exposed to government action for violating lockdown orders and serious risk to their families. Moreover with the drying up of labour work , the possibility of crimes being committed against them can’t be ignored. This requires serious steps and immediate intervention from the concerned authorities. It is said that they are to be shifted to affordable housing developed under the PMAY-U but any rehabilitation in these times, look impossible.