Tensions flare as DDA begins demolition of Kathputli Colony

The Delhi Development Authority today began a demolition drive at west Delhi's Kathputli Colony, triggering clashes among its residents, activists and the police.
CPI leader Annie Raja was injured during the agitation, following which she was taken to the RML Hospital.
However, the police and the DDA denied using any force against the protesters.
Sanjeev, an activist with the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), alleged that police personnel and DDA officials did not allow people to even take out their belongings before bulldozing their homes.
The resistance stems from apprehension in people's minds regarding DDA's assurance that the private builder with which it has entered into an agreement will build multi-storeyed buildings in the same spot within two years, he claimed.

"The Delhi High Court in 2014 had stated that the DDA cannot forcibly evict people from their homes. People also do not want to shift to the transit camp in Anand Parbat as the facilities are below par," Sanjeev said.

Annie Raja's husband and CPI leader D Raja alleged that she was "punched, beaten and dragged by the police.
Sneha Lata, a member of the Delhi Solidarity Group claimed that Annie Raja was found lying near a dustbin.
"Doctors at the RML hospital have adviced an ultrasound of the abdomen and a CT scan to check if she has suffered any internal bleeding," D Raja said.

DDA Principal Commissioner J P Aggarwal said that the demolition began around 11 am, for which the latest notice were served to them five days ago.
The DDA has made arrangements under which no resident will be rendered homeless, he said.
"Around 1,400 out of 2,800 families have already moved to the transit camp. The last drive took place between last December and May this year. The latest drive seeks to send the rest 1,400 to the camp and another 492 families to Narela," Aggarwal said.
Spread over an area of around 14 acres, Kathputli Colony was house to a large number of puppeteers, magicians, singers and musicians.

Aggarwal said over 500 slums were demolished today.
It is the first slum in the city to be taken up by the DDA for in-situ (in the same spot) redevelopment with the help of a private developer, who in turn will get a substantial part of land for commercial use.
A senior police official claimed, "There was no lathi- charge by the police. Instead the mob, instigated by some people, attacked the police and started pelting personnel with stones in which two to three of our personnel suffered injuries.
"A cylinder explosion took place during the drive, but no one was injured. No one has been detained. Neither has any case been registered so far," the officer said.