New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government’s irrigation department officials demolished tents set up by Rohingya refugees, deeming them ‘illegal’, while clearing a portion of its land in Delhi’s Madanpur Khadar area, the Indian Express has reported.
While refugees alleged that the officials had also razed down a makeshift mosque, officials maintained that they were only clearing the area of any illegal structures, and denied demolishing any mosque. However, Uttar Pradesh jal shakti minister Mahendra Singh confirmed that there was a “makeshift mosque” which was demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive.
“There was no demolition of a mosque. From the visuals and clippings, the structure can only be classified as a jhuggi since there was no resemblance to a mosque. Our job was to primarily relocate settlers from UP irrigation land to separate tents next to Zakat Foundation land,” the Indian Express quoted Vishwendra, district magistrate, Southeast Delhi.
According to Uttar Pradesh government officials, the refugees had earlier settled on Zakat Foundation land, but later “illegally” built permanent and semi-permanent structures on the irrigation department’s land.
Describing the anti-encroachment drive as a “success”, Uttar Pradesh’s jal shakti minister said Rohingyas were living on the land without permission, and therefore, it was necessary to carry out the drive.
“They also built a makeshift mosque which could have led to a conflict later. In matter of national interest, the land was cleared. I had earlier written to the Delhi CM for action as well, but there was no cooperation. I thank the L-G for the help provided and in the coming days, more action will be taken,” he said.
Meanwhile, Md Salim (33), a community leader at the camp, said that there was a fire a few weeks ago destroying shelter of 16 families. But, on Thursday, July 22, he said officials had demolished the mosque, a water pump, and two washrooms. The 16 families in question were shifted to temporary settlements on the road. Salim said this will put the families at risk of accidents.
The demolition drive took place after Uttar Pradesh and Delhi governments’ officials held a meet on vacating the land. In total, 53 families live in the settlement. The shelters of the remaining 37 families are intact.