Delhi Development Authority Plans Demolition at Majnu Ka Tila
Concerns Raised by Pakistani Hindu Residents
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has announced a demolition drive against encroachments on the Yamuna flood plain near the South of Gurdwara, Majnu Ka Tila, on July 13-14. Residents of Majnu Ka Tila, who are primarily Pakistani Hindus, received the notice late on Thursday evening and expressed concern over the planned eviction.
The local police have been requested to provide security to maintain law and order during the drive. According to the notice, the encroachments on DDA land adjacent to the south of Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila must be removed, with the exception of the structure belonging to the petitioner who approached the high court.
Earlier in March this year, the Delhi High Court granted the central government two weeks of time to file a reply to a plea challenging a notice of vacation for a Pakistani Hindu refugee camp at Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tilla. The High Court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) not to take any coercive action and on March 12, passed an interim order on a petition against the notice issued by the DDA.
A petition has been filed by one Ravi Ranjan Singh in the High Court challenging the March 4 notice asking the residents to vacate the place by March 6. Advocate RK Bali, counsel appearing for the petitioner, submitted that a Public Notice dated March 4, 2024, was pasted in the area asking the residents to vacate the place by March 6, 2024, failing which the respondent will demolish their Camp.
It was also submitted that the Pakistani Hindu Refugees have been living at Majnu Ka Tilla for many years, with basic facilities being provided by the authorities; their children are studying in the nearby government schools, and their examinations are in progress at present.
The counsel for DDA submitted that an order dated January 29 was passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in an Execution Application in an application of 2019, wherein, it was directed that all the encroachment on the Yamuna Flood Plain Zone adjacent to South of Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tilla on the Yamuna River Belt in Delhi, be removed.
