But Shakur Basti residents feel vindicated

NEW DELHI: Runa Devi’s face is animated as she makes her way to the small shop she has been running in a JJ colony in north Delhi’s Shakur Basti for the past couple of years. She knows what awaits her there. These days, the people who come to her stall for groceries and, currently, colours and paraphernalia for Holi, have only one topic to discuss: the Delhi high court decision directing the state government to ensure the Northern Railways removes encroachments only after ensuring rehabilitation for the displaced people.
“It is a victory for us.We have been waiting for this moment for years,” said Devi, 65, one of the earliest settlers at Shakur Basti. “Our houses have been razed down five times in the 40 years I have lived here and I have not dared to erect a permanent structure.”
Devi remembers December 2015 when hundreds of shacks were brought down in the middle of the night. Tragically, a baby had died during the melee. Ajay Maken, Congress leader, had filed a petition in Delhi high court against such forced eviction of slum dwellers, and the court’s decision on Monday has only underlined the slum dwellers’ claim that they had a right to housing and shelter.
Like many others in the colony, Devi possesses all the documents to back her claims to ownership of her residence, including an Aadhaar card, ration card and even a PAN card. “We gathered in hundreds to protest against the anti-encroachment drive,” she said. “We even sent a delegation to meet government officials. These have finally brought us rewards. We hope the process to shift us takes place soon.”
When TOI took a walk through the lanes of the colony, others expressed similar views, hopeful of a better future, even if most felt the relocation of their homes must be to places nearby. “Our livelihoods are closely linked to this area,” explained Mannu, who has a roadside stall that sells noodles. “Many of us have started small businesses here or are employed in this place. Coming here every day from a distant place will be difficult. So, our next request is for the government to accommodate us close to Shakur Basti.”
While the colony has not been disturbed after 2015, people have numerous other woes, including the lack of electricity connections and paucity of water pumps. “Water tankers come here every day now, but it is difficult to live without electricity,” said Javed Alam, 42, a resident of the JJ colony since 2002. “Now that the high court has taken this decision, we should be given temporary power connections.”
Nissar Rehman, a resident who has seen the highs and lows of the area, added that it was now important for the government to act early. “The sooner people are shifted and rehabilitated, the sooner we can also start leading normal lives. The fear of our houses being demolished is finally over.”