India: WHRDs protesting against evictions detained
Event- Country
- India
- Initial Date
- Jan 18, 2013
- Event Description
From 18 to 21 January 2013, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) | [Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation], a government body responsible for providing infrastructure and services in the Greater Bangalore Metropolitan area, reportedly bulldozed 1,200 homes and evicted over 5,000 people living in "economically weaker section" quarters (EWS-for those earning an annual income of Rs 100,000 or less) in Koramangala, Bangalore. The demolition affected around 1,200 women and 2,000 children. Prior to the eviction: reportedly, no consultation was conducted with affected residents. Water supply and electricity were cut off four days before the evictions started. The authorities did not provide any written notice or reason for the demolition to the residents. During the eviction: given the lack of notice about the exact date of the eviction the residents were allegedly left with no time to collect their belongings. A large police force consisting of 500 policemen and 20 policewomen was present. When residents tried to resist the demolition, the police reportedly used violence against them, beating them with sticks. Reportedly, on 19 January, police arrested seven residents (five women and two men), who were reportedly peacefully protesting against the eviction, and detained them in the dugodi police station until the evening. On 20 January, police arrested around 21 women residents, including two human rights activists.They were kept in prison overnight and released on bail on 21 January. However, charges under the Indian Penal Code, namely on grounds of being a member of an unlawful assembly, rioting, assault against a public servant, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation, are still pending. After the eviction: Reportedly, BBMP residents who have not been able to find any alternative place to stay are now spending days and nights in the open. They do not have any shelter or access to basic services, such as drinking water, sanitation and toilets. Given these conditions, residents' health is a growing concern. Children are not able to go to school. Many residents fear they will lose their livelihoods if they move away from the neighbourhood. Reportedly, people have been promised houses in Sulekunte village, along Sarjapur Road. Sulekunte village is outside the city limits, on the southeastern outskirts of Bangalore, around 15 kilometres away from the EWS quarters and the evicted residents' places of work. Karnataka Slum Development Board is allegedly supposed to build apartments for the 900 families in a five-acre plot there. This may take between one to three years. It is reported that residents were living informally in the EWS quarters after their housing, originally built by the BBMP in 1990, was destroyed by the BBMP following the collapse of some of the buildings due to poor quality construction. In 2005, BBMP decided to rebuild new housing at the same site and a year later issued ID cards to 1,512 resident households-thereby recognizing their legal right to housing. Since then no housing was built on the site, forcing residents to live in informal inadequate housing at the site. Particular concerns have been expressed regarding the situation of tenants and sub-tenants living in the EWS quarters. Reportedly, BBMP claims that it is responsible for providing interim relief to only 1,512 original allottees, and not the tenants and subtenants. However until now the BBMP or any other government authority has failed to provide any alternative-even temporary-arrangements for the evicted residents, be they recognized households or tenants.
- Impact of Event
- 21
- Violation
- Intimidation and Threats
- Judicial Harassment
- Rights Concerned
- Right to housing
- Right to property
- Source
- Monitoring Status
- Not active
- Event Location
Latitude: 12.9316556
Longitude: 77.6226959
- Event Location
- Summary for Publications
On 20 January 2013, Indian police arrested 21 female protesters -including two human rights activists- who were demonstrating against the destruction of 1,200 houses in a low-income area without any warning. They were kept in prison overnight and released on bail on 21 January but charges under the Indian Penal Code, on grounds of being a member of an unlawful assembly, rioting, assault against a public servant, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation are still pending.