SFS 2nd Conference

SFS 2nd Conference

Sunday, February 16, 2014

OPPOSE THE DEMOLITION OF COLONIES ! SUPPORT THE STRUGGLES OF WORKING CLASS !!

OPPOSE THE DEMOLITION OF COLONIES !
STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRUGGLE OF THE PEOPLE FOR THEIR BASIC RIGHTS !!
STAND IN OPPOSITION TO SUCH POLICIES WHICH UNDER THE NAME OF DEVELOPMENT RENDER PEOPLE HOMELESS !!!
 
The Chandigarh Administration is on the move to demolish the colonies to make Chandigarh a 'Slum-free' city and to 'raise' the standard of the people living in the colonies by 'rehabilitating' them in small one room flats. However the claims of the govt. to rehabilitate the people have proven to be just castles in the air and the whole project has resulted in devastation of people at large.

A few months back under the "Chandigarh Small Flat Scheme" the Colony no. 5, the biggest colony in the city, was demolished. Where only a small fraction of people just 1/3rd were alloted flats, rest were rendered homeless. The alloted flats at Dhanas are nothing more than just pigeon holes and are not in a livable condition.


Following which the prior-residents of the demolished colony, of the colonies to be demolished and from the Dhanas Rehabilitation Colony went to DC office with their demands. The DC promised to address their problems. But next week when people gathered in front of his office, giving an excuse he sent a Tehsildar instead who had no powers under his jurisdicton. Meanwhile some evicted people had started living in the Transit colony at sec-52 but were being regularly harassed by the police and were being forced to evacuate. A demand was also put forward to allow the people to stay there, atleast for the winters. The people were promised that a list would be issued by the Housing Board under which people would be allowed to stay at the Transit Colony. But no such list was issued.

Following which a protest was held infront of Estate Office at sec-42 A. People from the demolished colony, of the colonies to be demolished and from the Dhanas Rehabilitation Colony participated in a huge no. A memorandum regarding various problems faced by the people was submitted to DC. Demand for the revocation of the policy was also put forward.The DC ensured to address the problems. A meeting was called by him which included the Heads of various departments like food, transport, election and officials of the housing board. Representatives of the struggling people were also invited. The administration agreed on matters like voter cards and ration cards but was not ready to discuss any issue at policy level.

As seen administration is adamant to carry on with its policy which has created such a havoc where the masses are being deprived of their basic rights and rendered homeless. The people are being forced to leave the city they created with their labor.

We appeal all the sections of the society to stand in solidarity with and support the struggle of the toiling masses for their basic rights. We appeal all to expose and oppose such policies that are framed in the name of 'Development', the 'Development' which is unfair and offensive towards the working masses and takes away even their basic rights.