Jhuggis demolition: Mahmood detained at Zakir Nagar, say netizens
Okhla AAP leader Mahmood Ahmed has been detained during ‘illegal’ jhuggi demolition incident at Zakir Nagar’s Touba colony, according to social media post. Ahmed’s friend Sheeraz said he saw it on the social media. Some residents residing in the pucca houses near the demolished jhuggis told the OT that Mahmood was detained from the spot as he was asking for the court order.
The demolition drive was carried out by the Delhi Development Authority, officials said. The drive started at 11 am on Tuesday and around 70 unauthorised jhuggis were removed, a senior police officer said.
Lawyer Faisal representing residents of pucca houses, who fear that after the jhuggis demolition, it could be turn of their houses located in the front row, told the OT that he was informed that the jhuggis were built on Yamuna green belt. On any chance of demolition of houses on the front row, he said he has taken stay order from the court.
But many residents were seen worried that they might be next as a service road is also passing from there.
Though many avoided the media, they were talking among themselves that why in first place these jhuggis are allowed and even meter is allocated to their houses. They said most of the slum dwellers were poor and had managed to build a small shelter after years of struggle.
Residents well aware of the area said the jhuggis were unauthorised and were demolished earlier also.
When asked for comment, a local leader said there is nothing to share as it is well known that jhuggis were illegal but yes the demolition is painful for poor people, who are able to build their houses and take meters, with their lifetime savings.
Residents said the biggest losers are the poor as land mafia gets away by selling property.
