Tents, blankets reach demolished locality

Amid political allegations and accusations, tents, blankets and food were given on Friday to residents of a slum in south Delhi where hundreds of shanties were bulldozed on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung met representatives of Rangpuri slum dwellers and assured them of providing relief. The Congress and the AAP continued their attempts to win the slum dwellers’ sympathy by blaming the BJP.

Aam Aadmi Party accused BJP of targeting its voters while demanding a probe into who ordered the demolition at Rangpuri Pahari. The party also gave a memorandum to Jung on Friday.

Jung earlier assured residents of Rangpuri slums that all immediate aid shall be provided to them, and the government will consider providing long-term solution to their problems.

He directed Chief Secretary D M Spolia, Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) and the area Deputy Commissioner to provide aid immediately. A representative from Jung’s office visited the site on November 27 to oversee relief work.

Seventy families have been provided tents and more were in line to get relief material. Blankets have been provided, three mobile toilets have been stationed and drinking water and food packets were also distributed by civil defence volunteers, an official said.

Ambulances have been stationed since the time of demolition, he said.  Apart from AAP, the Congress has been sympathising with the slum dwellers. Party vice president Rahul Gandhi visited the area on Thursday and assured help to the affected people.

The Congress accused the BJP-led central government and the local BJP leaders of being anti-poor and going ahead with the demolition.

A team of Congress leaders, including former MP Sajjan Kumar and Vijay Lochav, gave a representation in Raj Niwas seeking rehabilitation of the slum dwellers.