Slum eviction drive turns violent in Cuttack

Cuttack, June 14 (ANI): A slum eviction drive turned violent here after police resorted to baton charge on slum dwellers.

Hundreds of slum dwellers have been rendered homeless, and at least 15 persons were reported were severely injured after the baton charge.

Slum dwellers complained that they were not served prior notice to vacate the area.

"People who were served prior notice had vacated their houses, but people who did not receive the notice were staying in their houses and did not shift from there. Without giving any notice, the administration started demolishing the houses," said Sahnaz Begum, a slum dweller.

Begum added that they were not given time to vacate their dwellings, as police personnel threw away their household items.

"When we pleaded with the officials to stop the eviction drive, they said that we were staying on government land, and they would demolish all houses. They asked us to vacate the place soon, and no time was given to us. They threw away our items and started demolishing the houses," Begum said.

The administration claimed that the eviction drive was launched on the directions of the Odisha High Court. However, they refused to comment over another direction of the High Court that no eviction should take place without making alternative arrangements for the evacuees.

According to reports, at least 150 residents had been taken into preventive custody, but were released later. (ANI)