JOIN USThe displaced residents of Ejipura EWS (economically weaker section) quarters on Tuesday staged a protest, demanding a probe into the agreement between the BBMP and Maverick Holdings Pvt Ltd.
The residents, who were evicted last year, have been living in a debilitated state, with over 100 families still on the footpaths at the same place. Of the thousands of people affected by eviction, schoolchildren have been the worst hit and they have missed out on their classes.
Muruga, a resident, said there were more than 350 children going to school. After the eviction, 150 of them have dropped out as they do not have a place to call home.
Another resident, Guramma, said many families are still living on the footpath with just plastic sheets above their head. It becomes difficult for them to survive during rains.
Manjula, another resident, said that she will not leave Ejipura until the government reallocated the land to slum dwellers.
R Prabhakar, convenor, EWS Quarters Residents, has blamed the BBMP for the slum dwellers’ plight.
“We are submitting a memorandum to chief secretary for an enquiry into the agreement between the Palike and Maverick. We have also urged the government to construct houses at the very place for the poor,” he added.
Incidentally, the hearing of Ejipura slum eviction is scheduled in the High Court on Wednesday.