AAP Leader Atishi Questions Delhi CM on Slum Demolition

New Delhi, Jun 11 (PTI) - In a significant development, senior AAP leader Atishi has raised questions for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding the demolition of slums in Delhi's Bhoomiheen camp. Slums have been demolished in the area despite the Chief Minister's assurances days earlier that no slums would be razed.

The demolition drive, which began on Wednesday morning in southeast Delhi's Govindpuri, took place amidst a heavy police presence, according to reports. Over 300 jhuggis built on government land are slated for demolition, as confirmed by an official. Atishi, who also serves as the leader of the opposition in the Delhi Assembly, took to social media to raise queries about the situation. "BJP's bulldozer started running in the Bhoomiheen camp from 5 a.m. in the morning. (Delhi Chief Minister) Rekha Gupta -- you said three days ago that not even a single slum would be demolished. Then why are bulldozers running on the Bhoomiheen camp?" she stated in a post on 'X'.

This operation follows eviction notices issued days earlier by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which warned "encroachers" to leave their homes within three days or face action. The camp, predominantly inhabited by migrant workers, has already endured demolition drives twice earlier this year, in May and June, as well as in July 2023.

On Tuesday, Atishi visited the Bhoomiheen camp, and while AAP claimed that she was detained during her efforts to meet the residents, police denied these allegations. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, when addressing the issue on Sunday, clarified that authorities cannot bypass court-issued demolition orders and highlighted that displaced residents have been offered alternative accommodation.

Her comments come amid mounting criticism from the AAP concerning the demolition of the Madrasi Camp slum cluster near Barapullah in south Delhi, alongside other similar demolition efforts across the city.

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