Hundreds of homes torn down in Delhi’s Ashok Vihar

Authorities conducted a large-scale demolition drive in the Jailorwala Bagh and Wazirpur areas of Delhi on Monday, clearing over 200 structures located along railway lines. The operation was carried out by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) with a heavy deployment of more than 250 police personnel.

The drive is part of an ongoing effort to remove what officials have termed "illegal encroachments" for safety reasons. The action was supported by court orders aimed at clearing unauthorized structures near active railway tracks.

Government officials, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, defended the demolitions as a necessary measure to prevent potential accidents. The Supreme Court has previously upheld the need to clear such encroachments.

But for the residents on the ground, the reality is one of desperation and fear. Standing amidst the rubble, middle-aged resident Sheela expressed the community's anguish. "They've taken everything from us , our electricity, our water," she said. "Where are we supposed to go with our children? All we ask is that if you demolish our homes, you must give us another place to live. Otherwise, we'll be forced to live on the streets."

The sense of injustice is palpable, with many claiming the demolition was carried out without proper procedure. Pawan, who has lived in the settlement for 20 years, said his family was given no time to prepare. "We had a stay order, but they demolished our homes anyway without any warning," he stated. "If a child had been inside and gotten hurt, who would have taken responsibility? The conditions they've left us in are unbearable."

While the DDA states that rehabilitation efforts are underway, with approximately 1,100 of the area's 15,000 residents having been allotted new flats, many like Pawan feel abandoned. "They say 80 percent of people received flats, but what about the rest of us? They have left the remaining 20 percent here to die in the rubble," he added.

Reports indicate that around 500 residents are still awaiting housing, sparking a political debate where opposition parties have criticized the management of the rehabilitation process.