SLUM DWELLERS FORCEFULLY EVACUATED IN PERIAMET.

SLUM DWELLERS FORCEFULLY EVACUATED IN PERIAMET.

-  Martin F.R.
   martin@politikpsyke.com

         Forceful evacuation ad-midst the massive construction work.                 Photo credit- Arun                  

                

The population of slum dwellers are shrinking as they are being forcefully evacuated due to expanding urbanization as construction work hits on full pace by municipal corporation since january,2018 in the outer periphery of periamet.

The urbanization has always been an eternal pain for slum dwellers who have always been treated as non citizens of this nation,the recent issue of slum dwellers who have been receiving notices in small soon to be fully urbanized area in Chennai popularly spelled as masoodi periamedu is something that showcases that democracy in this country is just a white lie.According to sources,the present region that's going forceful eviction of these dwellers are being done due to pressures turned upon by a local construction company who through their touts,middlemen and lobbyist are cruxing the policies in their favour and using viable legal loopholes.

G. Jaganathan,a recent law graduate says,”I too belong to this bhoomi,a place which has given so much to all slum dwellers like me.I have filed several RTIs and have found credible evidences where I can smell heavy malpractices being led to entertain immorally our local democratic institutions.We shall fight for our rights what ever may come,we know its a loosing battle,but we want local media to focus on this situation soon as possible we are banking on their support only.”

Further more when investigated through our sources in land registration office we found that the land belongs to these slum dwellers  who were relocated as plan of local administration 16 years back from nearby vyasarpadi area to this area where they were promised homes and proper arrangement lavatories and all.So,legally this land belongs to these people who settled generations in vyasarpadi area and were living peaceful life here.The municipal corporation’s garbage disposal compartment is also just opposite to this region which is a evidence this area is not viable for residential purposes anyway be it.Also,Intermingling of 25 feet width drainage tunnel interject this area as well as a chemical factory is also running its shop nearby.

   Trucks segregating garbage in garbage disposal compartment area.                      Photo credit-Arun

                                             

The matter of legal justice is much wired and complex that the whole previous local administration needs to be punished who at the first place allocated this land for relocation of these slum dwellers and there after now playing with construction companies to milk in cash for heinous purpose.This digs up deep into dirty works of previous and current administration which points finger towards bureaucratic inefficiency and rampant corruption at large.

Karpagam Selvi , a slum dweller says,”Are we living a lavish,no right?Then why are they torturing us and not letting us live in peace.Our husbands work one way or the other way to feed us,the sanitation is pathetic,we are living a pathetic life.I have 3 small children,what wrong have they done.The government promised homes and toilets for our people we are not even asking that.But,unfortunately they listen to the language of money only.What can we do,nothing its our fate”.

Its not that the government is not aware of these problems,a recent camp of vaccination was also held for influenza,diphtheria and polio camps are done on regular basis.The anganwadi workers are also of the opinion that instead of improving the life’s of these people,they are forcefully trying to evacuate them to another place as if they are some kind of nomadic tribal community.This area,the soil itself is not viable for any kind of habitation,be it animals or humans.this region is D-Grade Zone meant for garbage and drainage disposal work nothing else.

Subbaraj,a local  motor repair shop owner says, “ that this matter is a dead end issue and will never be solved be it court which are either confused or corrupt themselves,too solve this matter requires strong political will which both the ruling as well opposition party lacks anyway.I have seen so many night talks among these slum dwellers who are feared for their life and are not bothered about their families survival”.

A Local activist associated with CPM,is of the opinion is that the matter is sub-judice,and nearly 4 hearing have come up in the past,but every time the lack of credible evidence as left the issue unsolved.The authorities are keeping the courts in dark is what I can say”.

This issue has multiple facets to be analyzed,but as pillars of democracy seems to be so weak,that anyone trying to peep into the matter and comes below its roof to lighten up the darker secrets is the one to be silenced,the mafia and nexus that surrounds this issue is hard to penetrate but not impossible.The government should take proactive action to dissipate the genuine sufferers and the courts must take quick cognizance of the the matter and punish the long list of culprits.