Rendered homeless 4 years ago, Municipal Corporation Dharamsala sweepers await rehab

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, June 17

They are homeless migrants, who work as sweepers for the local municipal corporation in the Dharamsala Smart City project. They were ousted from Charan Khad slums in Dharamsala city about four years ago though they had lived there for decades. Since then, they have been requesting the state government for their re-habilitation.

In view of the Covid pandemic and the approaching monsoons, this most vulnerable community in Dharamsala has again demanded its re-habitation at a proper place.

‘Worked hard to keep city clean’

In these four years, we have approached every authority and demanded shelter but are yet to receive a positive response. Even amidst the Covid crisis, while people stayed indoors in their homes, we worked every day to keep the city clean and livable. —Raju, pradhan of charan Khad Basti Punarwas Samiti

Charan Khad Basti Punarwas Samiti members met Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati today and requested him to make arrangements for the rehabilitation of 50 families living in shanties along the Manjhi river.

This community of daily wage workers had lived near the Charan khad in Dharamsala for more than 35 years. Four years ago, in June 2016, the local municipal corporation removed their slum settlement without any arrangements for their rehabilitation, rendering about 300 people homeless. The eviction drive had also left differently abled, old and sick people stranded without shelter for more almost 10 days. Despite appeals and protests by the members of the community, the previous government did not provide them relief.

The community members took shelter in Chetru village, next to Manjhi stream, 10 km from Dharamsala. They set up shanties there while awaiting the response of the state authorities to their demand for resettlement. The High Court, in its order on June 28, 2016, had directed the community to approach the authorities concerned with their grievances.

“In these four years, we have approached every authority and demanded shelter but are yet to receive a positive response,” said Raju, pradhan of Charan Khad Basti Punarwas Samiti.

Two years ago, 42 members of the community were employed by the Municipal Corporation as safai karamcharis. “Even amidst the Covid crisis, while people stayed indoors in their homes, we worked every day to keep the city clean and livable,” he said.

The monsoons are approaching and Himachal has announced a yellow alert. The Chief Secretary last week directed all Deputy Commissioners and Municipal Corporations to prepare an elaborate disaster management plan to deal with the predicted monsoonal calamities and ensure the safety of citizens. “Our shanties at Chetru are on Manjhi river’s floodplains. We have weathered many monsoons in fear, running for our lives, holding onto plastic sheets to keep a roof above our heads and protect our children and the elderly,” said Naazuki, a member of the community.

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation and the state government on the complaints of the community members. While some of them have been provided with voter identity cards and ration cards, others are still awaiting these so as to avail of the benefits of the welfare schemes meant for the poor.

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