https://countercurrents.org/2023/02/kanpur-dehat-demolition-deaths-point-to-the-urgency-of-restraining-bulldozer-overdrive/ 

Reports have pointed out how demolitions continued even after fire in the hut had started, instead of efforts being made to save the victims. The victims burnt to death in the presence of bulldozing officials, crew and police. The extremely insensitive role of senior administrative officials has been strongly condemned, although official action may be confined to mildly punishing only those at the lower levels. The victim family had suffered even earlier from insensitive actions of the administration, but instead of any remedial action being taken, the worst possible cruelty was further inflicted on this family, one possible reason being this this family had protested against corruption and injustice in the administration’s handling of this situation.

In addition several demolitions in Delhi have also been widely criticized. One of these relates to the demolition of a night shelter for homeless people in Sarai Kaale Khan area. Homeless people seek shelter in night shelters, so where will they go if even the limited number of night shelters that exist in our cities start getting demolished. If the authorities had any problem with the existing shelter, they could have sorted this out with those managing the shelter, or else they could have first provided an alternative shelter before demolishing this one. Hopefully, with the intervention of courts, alternative shelter will be provided soon.

by Bharat Dogra

22/02/2023