Slum dwellers live in constant fear of eviction

More than 200 families, living in a slum here, are facing the threat of losing their shelter, as the City Municipal Council has allegedly issued title deeds to a few influential persons.

The Slum Clearance Board had declared the 'New Tamil Colony' in Ward 23 as slum and more than 200 families live there. Now, they fear that they would be forcefully evicted by a few persons, who have been claiming as the owners of the lands.

The residents of the colony have been living in constant fear of eviction since five years. Most of them have been living here since decades and the Slum Clearance Board had announced it as a slum in 1979. Related documents have been distributed to the residents. The colony, on 1.39 acres of land, has an anganwadi, public toilet and other basic facilities. But, it is alleged that the title deeds have been issued to 36 private parties in the year 1982.

The illegal activity came to the notice of the slum dwellers, when the private parties tried to erect fence around the land and even tried to construct houses.

Ningamma, a representative of the colony, said, the slum was known as 'Handigundi' as it was fit only for pigs and turned into a slush if it rained. "We levelled the land and made it fit to live. As the colony is within the city, vested interests are trying to grab the land. The people who have bought the land are threatening to vacate us. They are trying to snatch our lives", she complained.

Protests

Various organisations like Janashakti and Zilla Shramika Nivasigala Okkoota have been staging protests in support of the slum dwellers. Protests have been staged near the Deputy Commissioner's office a number of times. The DC, who held several meetings in this regard, took a decision to cancel the khatas. But, the orders have not been issued, they claimed.

S Siddaraju of Janashakti said, the officials are succumbing to the pressure by influential persons. A complaint has been lodged with the Slum Clearance Board about the construction activities. The protests will continue till the illegal title deeds are cancelled. We will stage a hunger strike in front of the DC's office soon, he warned.

It is said that the labourers from Tamil Nadu, who had come for the construction of Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, settled in three colonies here, including New Tamil Colony. Now, they are involved in agriculture, construction and other works.