The Delhi Development Authority on Wednesday morning demolished the house of one of the Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescuers, Vakeel Hasan. According to the authority, they conducted the demolition drive to remove encroachment from its acquired land in the village Khajuri Khas in northeast Delhi. The land was part of planned development land, the DDA officials said.
Mr. Hasan while speaking to The Hindu said, “We were not given any notice of the demolition, the area we live in is a regularised colony, I built my house in 2012-13 but DDA came suddenly at 9 a.m. and pushed us out of our home.”
The authority did not respond to calls for further questions.
“My wife and I were not at home; DDA officials came, and only my three children were present, he said. The children were scared and were even hassled by officials while the demolition was ongoing”, he added.
Mr. Hasan said, “I do not know where to go now. When I reached the spot, I was taken to the nearby police station, and they took away my phone. I will not get a house on rent on such short notice, where do my children and family go tonight?.”
Meanwhile, northeast Delhi Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari took cognisance of the demolition. He said: “I have already investigated the matter. I will ensure that Mr. Hasan gets compensated through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.”
According to sources in the DDA, the land was previously acquired by the authority for some development project, and it was encroached upon, however, the details of the matter are still unclear.
DDA member and AAP leader Somnath Bharti said that he will also look into the matter and see if any resolution can be made.
The Uttarkashi Tunnel rescuers were thrust into the limelight after they saved 41 workers from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel. The workers were rescued after 17 days of being trapped by a team of 12 members popularly known as ‘rat miners’. Mr. Hasan was at the helm of the team in the rescue operation. After the mission was successful, he was welcomed back to Delhi with full pomp and show. He has been a Delhi Jal Board contractor for years.
