The Hindu : National : Slum-dwellers resist demolition drive

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National

Slum-dwellers resist demolition drive

Staff Reporter

Administration trying to make the land encroachment-free

— Photo: PTI

Slum dwellers charge at a policewoman during a clash following a demolition drive in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

BHUBANESWAR: Several slum-dwellers were injured in a clash with the police while trying to foil a bid to remove their jhuggis at Narayani Basti, 1 km from the State Secretariat here, on Saturday.

Resentment has been brewing among inhabitants of Narayani Basti for long with the administration trying to make the land encroachment-free.

Slum dwellers assembled to impede work by the demolition squad comprising officials from the General Administration, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and police personnel.

When the demolition vehicle came close, the slum-dwellers stood in its way. When the police started taking them into custody, they resorted to stone pelting.

According to Narayani Basti committee, a woman was critically injured when a wall fell on her. Children were seen screaming as their mothers were taken away by the police.

About 49 women were kept in the police van till evening.

Kussum Naik, a leader of the Basti, said there were 285 families residing in the slum and the State government was not willing to rehabilitate them.

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