The Congress and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal have reiterated their support to the slum dwellers facing eviction by the authorities in pursuance of high court orders. While Congress party held a meeting in support the of the slum dwellers, the UKD held a protest march to the Chief Minister’s residence on the issue on Sunday. Both the parties highlighted the demand of not evicting the slum dwellers. The Congress will be submitting a memorandum at the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun on this issue on Monday. UKD, on the other hand, accused BJP and Congress Government of treating the slum residents mainly as vote banks.
Addressing the people during a meet held here, the former MlA of the Congress party Rajkumar said, “We will not let the Government demolish the homes of slum dwellers. Not even a single home will be demolished by the officials. The Government has to reconsider this drive or else a protest will be organised by us against the ruling party. We will also submit a memorandum to Municipal Corporation of Dehradun on Monday regarding the matter,” he said.
On the other hand, UKD slammed the Congress as well as the BJP party for making hollow promises of ownership to the people living in the slums. Expressing support for the slum dwellers the party held a protest rally towards the Chief Minister’s residence. However, the protest rally was stopped en route before it could get close to the Chief Minister’s residence. After a tussle with the police, the protesting UKD members sat on the road and demonstrated in support of their demands.
Talking about it the party representatives questioned the serving of eviction notices to slum dwellers if the government intends to bring out an ordinance on the issue of slums as claimed. An Act was also passed regarding slums and various issues pertaining to them in 2016 but this has not been implemented yet, they said.
The UKD members alleged that both the BJP and Congress had done anything concrete for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers and improving their lot. Averring that both the national parties had treated slum dwellers as vote banks, the party members said that the UKD will continue to support the slum dwellers against eviction.