Some 170 residents of Kheda village in outer Delhi are evacuating their village after noticing cracks in their houses, apprehending that their locality faces the curse of some supernatural power.
A woman said they cannot open the doors and windows once they are closed and this is not something normal. "The village is facing a curse and we are residing in fear that something big might happen," she said.
However, educated villagers and Government officials don't concur with the views of these residents. Attributing the cracks in houses to soil erosion, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has issued notice to 20 residents asking them to evacuate their houses immediately to avoid any mishap.
Besides, North District Magistrate has ordered a probe in this matter and directed district administration to arrange temporary shelters for the people who have been left their damaged houses.
"We received this information a few days ago. We have visited the affected area and the matter is being investigated to assess the cause behind the damages. Necessary action would be taken soon", said the DM.
The residents of Kheda village have been asked to leave their houses as soon and possible.
When contacted some educated villagers said their village is settled at high slope and there is probability that soil erosion is the prime reason for cracks on floors and roofs of the houses.
Concerned over the gravity, the Public Welfare Department (PWD) has been informed.
Some people facing the problem told The Pioneer, "We faced the same problem in 1996 as well. The then Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma visited the village and requested the lieutenant-Governor to provide land to all the affected villagers but nothing happened on the ground".
Villagers are disappointed with the NDMC and the city Government. They alleged that the civic agency and the district administration are forcing them to vacate their houses instead of providing solution to it.