More than 10,000 jobless people of Kirari, an urbanised slum in North-West Delhi, came out on the roads for a candlelight march with a hope that from December 31 onwards the miseries that they have been facing from the last 50 days due to demonetisation, will come to an end. Hundred of Kirari residents, who have lost their jobs or small business units, demanded a special “compensation package” from the Government.

leading the candle march, local Purvanchali Congress leader, Pratyush Kanth said, “We have been the worst hit by demonetisation. The most underprivileged people of Delhi live here. Most of the families living here have lost their jobs. They have no money to buy daily essentials and food supplies. Children are not going to schools. Many families have not paid their rents and electricity bills. 95 per cent of the people living here are daily wagers, who are migrants from Purvanchal. We want ‘Government-run free kitchens and medical centres’ in the area”.

“Out of 8 lakh people living in Kirari, at least one lakh labourers living here have lost their jobs. Thousands have returned to their native villages in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, especially women who have been worst affected, as they have no money to survive due to demonetisation.

“The situation here is so grave that soon, like farmers committing suicide all over the country, you will read about urban daily wagers committing suicide in places like Kirari. We are grateful to several NGOs/individuals who have been distributing eatables, blankets and medicines in several areas of Kirari,” said Kanth.