Sukma (Chhattisgarh): Several families in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh were rendered homeless on Friday after an eviction drive that was carried out by the district administration against alleged "illegal encroachers".
Several houses were razed down under the supervision of the district Tehsildar in the absence of the residents of those houses.
The residents have alleged that they weren't given any prior notice by the authorities concerned and weren't even given the time to take their belongings before demolishing their homes.
"They had warned us earlier, but today they came all of a sudden and demolished our house. They didn't even allow us to take our belongings. Where will we go now? We have kids to take care of, " said Paritosh, one of the residents whose house was also demolished.
Echoing Paritosh's sentiments, a teary-eyed Geeta Mandal said, "We built the house with a lot of hard work. We invested our life savings to build this house. They didn't even inform us before taking this step."
Meanwhile, accusing the Tehsildar or Tax Officer of corruption and demanding an inquiry into the eviction, Rama Sodhi, a local leader of the Communist Party of India, said, "This is wrong on the part of the administration. Where will these people go in this rainy season? I demand an inquiry into the matter. I also demand that these people who are now rendered homeless must be rehabilitated. The Tehsildar is okay with the land mafia operating the area but has a problem with these poor people."
Refuting all charges, RP Baghel, the Tehsildar of Sukma, said, "Flood-affected people were settled here in 2006. But, the construction that was taking place in these two spots was being carried out by different people. More such evictions swill take place in that area."
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When asked if the way the eviction was carried out was legal, the Tehsildar said, "People who have settled illegally can be evicted any time."
