Bangalore: Ejipura’s evicted residents now have nowhere to go

The scene at the economically weaker sections (EWS) quarters in Ejipura resembled an earthquake affected region as BBMP razed the remaining tin-sheet tenements erected there.
The demolition drive that began on Friday was completed by Monday evening, despite protests and requests from the residents of around 900 tin-sheds that were erected at the quarters premises more than 11 years ago.

“Now we do not know what to do. The BBMP authorities have demolished my home without heeding my request to allow me to stay for two more months. The police threatened to beat us if anyone of us tries to protest or resist the demolition drive,’’ said Elizabeth Rani, a resident of the demolished sheds.

Another resident Mangamma too had a similar experience to share. Mangamma, a domestic maid, had been staying at the EWS quarters for more than a decade. She had to erect a shed on her own after the EWS quarters collapsed.

“The then chief minister SM Krishna and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda visited this premises and assured to construct new houses for us but nothing has happened even after 14 years. Now, the slum clearance board provided us identity cards and promised to provide shelter near Sarjapur after 15 months. I do not know where to go till then. I neither have relatives who can provide me shelter nor have the money to pay towards the advance of renting a house,’’ rued Mangamma.

It was found that hundreds of people who lived in the sheds were tenants paying a rent of `500 to `600 per month. They also paid thousands of rupees towards the advance of renting the sheds.
“My son and I came here two months ago. We got this shed on a rental of `500 per month, paying the owner an advance of `5,000. The owner returned only `4,500 and promised to pay the remaining amount by evening but did not turn up,’’ lamented MS Dorai Muthu, an octogenarian.
Muthu, who had the privilege of studying up to I Com at RC College in 1956, was staying with his son Radhakrishna at Ittamadugu till two months ago. Both were in a dilemma with the demolition of their tin-shed and relatives trying their best to avoid them.

“My sisters and brothers, instead of helping us, advised me to admit my father to an orphanage. I do not want to abandon my 84-year-old father who has to depend on me for everything,’’ said Radhakrishna.

When asked whether Muthu is ready to take shelter at an orphanage, “I can’t imagine to live without my son. He is everything to me. I pray the almighty to solve my problem,’’ he said.
Two platoons of police were on guard to prevent any untoward incidents during the demolition at the EWS quarters premises. It was said the authorities disconnected power and water supply at the premises a week ago.

“We will keep a vigil till all the people vacate their belongings,’’ said a police officer.