Trade unions denounce demolition of Uttarakhand tunnel rescue hero’s house

New Delhi, March 1

A coalition of 10 Central trade unions criticised the demolition of rat-hole miner Wakeel Hassan’s home in Khajuri Khas, Northeast Delhi, conducted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on February 28, citing it as “unauthorised land”. The joint platform of Central trade unions and federations accused the DDA of unfairly targeting Hassan’s residence and demanded compensation and residential rehabilitation for him.

Hassan spends second night on footpath

New Delhi: Rat-hole miner Wakeel Hassan, whose house was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Wednesday, spent the second day on the footpath in front of his former residence. Hassan, along with his team, had rescued 41 workers trapped in an under-construction Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand last November. Despite being offered accommodation in an EWS flat in Narela by the DDA, Hassan refused, citing concerns over the reliability of the offer. While he has received support from locals for essential supplies like food and water, he expressed disappointment at not receiving any aid thus far. TNS

Expressing solidarity with Hassan, the coalition urged the DDA, chaired by Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena, to provide an explanation for what they termed a “singularly targeted and vindictive uprooting operation”. They called for immediate corrective action from both the DDA and the Central Government, demanding compensation and residential rehabilitation for Hasan’s family.

In response, the DDA stated that the demolition was part of a routine encroachment removal drive and denied targeting any specific individual. They asserted that they were unaware of Hassan’s involvement in the Uttarakhand rescue operation before or during the demolition exercise. Additionally, the DDA offered Hasan and his family accommodation in an Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) flat in Narela, which Hasan declined.

The trade unions have called for protests against what they deemed as “anti-people, inhuman, vindictive actions” by the DDA and the Centre, stressing the need for solidarity among working people and their unions in such instances.