‘No eviction without rehabilitation’
"We have many problems. We live with waterlogging and a lack of pure drinking water. But we never complain. This place to live is all we have. Where will we go if we are evicted?" asked Meghla, a 30-year-old cleaner from the Telegu community who lives in Outfall Colony-14 of Jatrabari's Dhalpur.
Meghla's sentiments are currently being echoed by 1,200 residents of the Telegu community living in the colony, who are currently in constant fear of getting ousted, after Dhaka South City Corporation's (DSCC) alleged directive to evict the colony.
On Sunday, DSCC demolished around 1,000 structures -- which it identified as illegal -- to recover 15 acres of land in Dhalpur. The colony, with its two churches, one temple and a school, is still intact.
However, the residents don't know for how long it is going to be like that.
The school, offering education in both Bangla and Telegu from pre-school level to eighth grade, has been in operation since 1991. Currently, it has 200 students, 110 of whom are from the Telegu community, said a teacher, requesting anonymity.
There are 130 Telegu families currently living in the colony, who have been living there since 1991, after getting allocated space from the then government.
Maria Das, priest of a community church, said the then British government brought their ancestors from India in the 19th century to this land, assuring them of a good livelihood. "Our community has been ousted thrice from our homes before we came to Dhalpur in 1991, where 200 houses, churches and a temple were constructed by the then government."
We demand a permanent allocation of space for our community so that we don't have to face these situations again and again. DSCC has to build us our community spaces before evicting us.
The mayor sympathises with the community, which is why the colony has not yet been demolished. Our engineering section has been working to rehabilitate them.
"We demand a permanent allocation of space for our community so that we don't have to face these situations again and again. DSCC has to build us our community spaces before evicting us," she added.
Khushi Kabir, rights activist and coordinator of Nijera Kori, visited the colony along with members of other rights organisations and said the eviction of the Telegu community without rehabilitating them is against the Constitution and law.
Kajal Debnath, presidium member of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, mentioned two buildings have been constructed next to the colony, where 120 Telegu families, under direct employment of DSCC, were shifted.
"The remaining 130 still live in constant fear. This are mostly poor people, who live with a family size of 10 to 15 people in one room, by hanging saris and using them as partitions. Even if they can afford it, people will not rent them houses in other areas due to their existing prejudices," he added.
DSCC Estate Officer Md Moniruzzaman said there are 15 acres of land there, of which 5 acres will be reserved for the Telugu community and others in dire need of rehabilitation.
"The mayor sympathises with the community, which is why the colony has not yet been demolished. Our engineering section has been working to rehabilitate them."
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