Delhi Health Minister smells 'conspiracy' in slum demolition tragedy

Satyendra Jain rejected the claims made by Railways of an 'urgent project' being the reason for the demolition

Asserting that there was a 'conspiracy' angle behind the Shakur Basti slum demolition, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Monday rejected the claims made by Railways of an 'urgent project' being the reason for the demolition.

"The Railways have demolished the slums, saying that they are bringing in an urgent project. I have received the information that the plan of the project has not been passed, neither by FIR nor by the MCD," Jain told ANI.

"Even if you visit this place after six months, you will not find anything. It is just a conspiracy done to demolish the slums," he added.

A day after the Railways demolished more than 500 slums in the Shakur Basti area in the national capital, the dwellers are now being forced to live in freezing conditions and are battling the extreme cold.

Talking about the facilities being provided for the dwellers, the PWD Minister said that proper medical facilities are being provided, "medical camps have been set up. The ill are being treated in the hospitals."

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government had yesterday ordered magisterial enquiries into the Shakur Basti demolition and the death of the six month-old child.

Separate probes will be conducted into demolition drive and the child's death.

More than 500 slums were demolished in an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the Indian Railways in Shakur Basti on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over the Shakur Basti demolition issue and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought an appointment with Prabhu.

AAP MPs are also protesting at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the Parliament and they will be joined by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The Delhi Government yesterday ordered magisterial enquiries into the demolition and also the death of a six month-old child.

Separate probes will be conducted into demolition drive and the child's death.

More than 500 slums were demolished in an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the Indian Railways in Shakur Basti on Saturday.