It is a matter of concern that the Government of Odisha and its agencies such as Bhubaneswar Municipality Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authorities (BDA) made a forcible attempt on 6th July 2020 to demolish the houses of 431 urban poor families of Tarini Bustee at Damana square of Bhubaneswar. Odisha. As per media report, the authorities armed with large contingent of police force along with earth-moving machinery reached the spot at 11 AM to begin the demolition operation, people of the Basti resisted it by sleeping on the entrance road. We, all undersigned individuals, organisations and political parties are strongly condemn such undemocratic action of the government.
During this time of pandemic, when the authorities WHO to the Panchayats, from Union government to the State government, all are persistently appealing people to STAY AT HOME to check the spread of COVID-19, it is ironic that people of the Basit are being rendered homeless, that too in the rainy season. It is also pertinent to mention that the Chief Justice of Odisha has directed the state government and its instrumentalities including all Municipal Corporation/Council/Board not (to) take any action for eviction and demolition in respect of the property, over which any citizen has physical or symbolic possession as on today till 15th July 2020. It is also principle decision of the Government of Odisha that slum dwellers are the lifeline of urban life, which has already been reflected in Odisha Municipal Corporation Act, 2003 and The land rights of the Slum dwellers Act 2017.
The slum dwellers have their democratic as well as statutory right to live without the threat of evictions. So, we urge the Government to refrain from such violation of human rights and stop all such eviction of the urban poor out of their only shelter which has very close link with their own livelihood also. Instead of indulging in the demolition of their houses and properties, we also urge the government to provide food grains and work to this section of people, who have been rendered jobless at the time of COVID-19.
Endorsed
Biswapriya Kanungo, Human Rights Activist
Asutosha Parida, Poet
Sailaja Rabi, Poet and writer
Bijay Kumar Panda, Advocate
Golekh Prasad Nayak, Advocate
Subash Ch Sahu, Advocate
Bhalachandra Sadangi, CPI(ML) New Democracy
Srikanta Mohanty, AIKMKS ( Chasi Mulia Sangha, Odisha)
Sibaram, CPI(ML) Red Star
Mahindra Parida, CPI(ML)
Biswabasu Dash, SUCI (C)
Radhakanta Sethi, AIPF
Hena Barik, Basti Surakhya Mancha
Pramila Behera, AIRWO
Rajendra Barik, TUCI
Tuna Mallick, Adivasi Bharat Mahasabha
Sankara Sahu, AIKKS
Subala Sahu, Industrial Workers’ Federation
Abani Gaya, Manabika Adhikar Surakhya Mancha
Bichitra Patra, Odisha Nirman Shramik Union
Sasirekha Behera, Gharoi Mahila Shramik Union
Raja Suresh, HRO, Odisha
Pramodini Pradhan, PUCL, Odisha
Dhirendra Panda and Chandranath Dani, CSFHR
Khageswar Sethi, Convenor, Bastibasindanka Milita Mancha
Subrat Mohapatra, Advocate
Mruganka Mouli Patnaik, Advocate
Prakash Ch Dash, Advocate
Sunil, Advocate
Ranjana Padhi, Writer
Srimanta Mohanty, Political activist
Lenin Kumar, Janabadi Lekhak Mancha
Rumita Kundu, Committee for release of political prisoners
Pratima Das, Advocate
Prasant Kumar Jena, Advocate
Khirod Rout, Advocate
Bhima Prusty, Writer
Dhanadakanta Mishra, Academic and Social Activist
Dr. Biswajit, Uktal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
Gopinath Majhi, Campaign for Survival & Dignity (CSD), Odisha
Narendra Mohanty, Campaign Against Fabricated Cases(CAFC), Odisha.
Balabhadra Mallick, Banabasi Suraksha Parisada, Kandhamal.
Ahalya Sahoo, Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), Odisha
Deba Ranjan, Ganatantrik Adhikar Surakhya Sangathan, Odisha
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