Since January 18th, 2013, more than 5000 urban poor living in tin sheds opposite the National Games Village, Koramangala were violently and mercilessly evicted from their homes. Families, who have been living there for a decade or more, were thrown onto the streets overnight. Power lines were cut off. Water supply was stopped. Homes were destroyed. Mothers could not find their children. People looked for their belongings amid debris. Rosemary, (60) died three nights after. For many years now our city is fast losing public land assets to a nexus between land mafia, corrupt politicians and the Government. Lakes, parks and other public land resources are being handed over to private individuals and companies for vested interests and commercial exploitation. The latest victim in this scam is a valuable 15.64 acres of prime land in the heart of Koramangala.
Background
In 2004, the BBMP decided to hand over public land to Maverick Holdings, a private entity, to build Garuda Mall. While this land was to be used for a multi-storyed parking lot, the construction of Garuda Mall was sanctioned by the BBMP. Further, the land has which was allotted to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in Ejipura, has now been acquired for commercial purposes by the same notorious Maverick Holdings.
- In 1990, 1512 tenements, over 42 blocks were built by BBMP and declared as Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Quarters in Ejipura. There was no water supply or electricity provided
- Due to infrastructural problems, original allottees started moving out and rented out their homes to even poorer tenants
- One block crumbled in 2001, and another in 2003. Another collapse in 2007 caused death of Mahalaxmi (1.5 yrs), Perumal (30 yrs), Xavier (10 yrs) and Gabriel (12 yrs)
- After this collapse, all blocks were pulled down after being declared weak. All residents moved into tin sheds as a temporary measure. BBMP gave “Assurance Letters” promising permanent accommodation in 2004 on the same land.
These were the tin shed homes that lie demolished now. They are now labeled as encroachers while in reality, they are rightful residents of the EWS Quarters, who are now languishing on the streets with no homes. BBMP agreed to decided hand over 15.64 acres of land to Maverick Holdings for ‘joint development’ in 2012.
Grounds of Protest
- Why is land earmarked for purpose of housing Economically Weak Sections being used for the purpose of private profit and commercial exploitation?
- Why has the BBMP chosen Maverick Holdings when they have already committed fraud by constructing Garuda Mall on public land meant for a parking lot?
- The Government has already issued biometric cards, BBMP ID cards, Voter IDs and Ration Cards to the residents of EWS quarters. The BBMP Council even passed a resolution in 2005 that houses would be built for both allottees and non-allotees living in EWS Quarters. On what grounds are they now labelling them as encroachers?
- As per the JNNURM guidelines, for any Public Private Partnership (PPP), 70% of residents should be consulted from planning to implementation stage. Why were the residents not consulted?
- The agreement between Maverick and BBMP clearly lays down that it is Maverick’s responsibility to relocate residents during Implementation Period at its own expense. Why has this not been done?
- While EWS Quarters stood on 11.37 acres of land, how is 15.64 acres of land being handed over to Maverick Holdings?
- When this case was in the High Court of Karnataka, why did the BBMP mislead the court by saying that all interested parties agreed to this arrangement? Why were all residents not considered as “interested parties” in this agreement?
WE DEMAND
- Cancel the PPP and use the EWS land for its original purpose -Rebuild houses for all erstwhile residents immediately on the same land
- Prosecute those responsible for brutal evictions and collapse of the EWS quarters
- Order an independent judicial inquiry into the illegal diversion of public lands
Enough is enough.
Can we stay silent while our public lands are being gifted to notorious
builders such as Maverick? Join and raise your voices to protect our public lands and ensure
justice for the residents of EWS Ejipura.
Forum Against EWS Land Grab
Endorsed by Samatha Sainika Dala, PUCL-K, Aam Aadmi Party, Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi Bheemavada), Bridge Network, Bangalore Slum Janara Sangatane, Bangalore Slum Janara Kriyaa Vedike, Students for Change, Maraa, Vimochana, APSA, Dalita Samara Sene, Karnataka Tamil Peoples’ Movement (R), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students Federation of India (SFI), Dalita Sangharsha Samithi (Ambedkarvada), Dalit & Minorities Land Protection Forum, Slum Aandolana - Karnataka, Savithri Bhai Phule Slum Mahilayara Sangatane, Bahujan Samaja Party, Social Democratic Party of India, Karnataka Tamil Federation, Karnataka Raajya Raytha Sanga, Swaraj Network.and Ant's eye Media center.
