In the twelfth episode of Awaz Ho Buland, our weekly wrap up show, our Community Correspondent (CC) Chandni Baraik takes us through the video reports filmed by our CCs highlighting demolitions of shanties and huts during the times of pandemic. At a time when it is a necessity to be indoors so as to not catch a Coronavirus infection or spread it, municipal authorities across the country have resorted to demolitions of temporary structures rendering thousands of families homeless overnight. In one of the cases, demolitions were carried out defying a high court order. In total, more than 54,000 people were left homeless in 22 states of India as a direct result of demolitions and forced evictions.
In Kashmir's Budgam district, post the repeal of Article 370, the Forest Rights Act comes into force that governs those living near forested lands. All older orders from the time of 1948, when the state granted homeless Kashmiris land near the forests in Budgam, stand null and void. This has led to uncertainty in Budgam residents about their future.
In Odisha's Balangir district, 70 houses were demolished for the construction of the Lower Suktel irrigation project.
Watch the full episode for more such stories. To see, all other episodes of Awaz Ho Buland, click here.
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