Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and local residents staged a sit-in protest in Ahmedabad’s Naroda area following the demolition of houses in Baliya Bapa ni Chali, party leaders said on Thursday.
The protest was held outside the office of Gujarat Urban Development Minister and local MLA Darshanaben Vaghela.
According to AAP, around 150 houses were demolished after notices were issued to residents. AAP State Vice President Gauri Desai, who participated in the protest along with affected families, said the residents were served notices on November 6 and demolition was carried out after what she described as a single notice.
Desai alleged that the demolition was conducted without making alternative accommodation arrangements for the affected families. She cited Supreme Court guidelines, which, she said, mandate that rehabilitation be provided before demolition. She claimed that no such arrangements were made in this case.
AAP leaders further said that residents had earlier approached the local Collector and submitted applications to MLA Darshanaben Vaghela seeking relief, but did not receive any response. On Thursday, affected residents reached the minister’s office carrying copies of the notices they had received.
According to Desai, the residents were later informed that the minister was on tour and the office was closed, despite Thursdays and Fridays being designated public meeting days. She also questioned claims that 102 houses had been allotted to the affected families, alleging that officials did not provide a list when asked.
AAP leaders alleged that several women and children were present at the protest and that many were visibly distressed following the demolition. The party also claimed that people who had gathered to submit their grievances were asked to leave and that the office was subsequently closed.
Desai said the Aam Aadmi Party would continue to raise the issue and support the affected residents through peaceful means in the coming days.
No immediate response was available from the minister’s office regarding the allegations at the time of filing this report.