: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday described the situation at Shakur Basti as “man-made hell” after 1,200 slum dwellings were demolished by the railways to clear “encroachments” and a baby died there, and said it was “nothing short of a criminal” act.
Maliwal, who visited the site in west Delhi, took to Twitter to express her anger and said, “Visited man-made hell in Shakur Basti. 5,000 women and girls now homeless. Plastic sheet on head that is their home also snatched away.”
The DCW chairperson also stressed on the need for proper rehabilitation while carrying out such a drive, adding the statement of other injured children is being recorded for further clarification.
“There are so many other children who have got injured. We are recording their statements for further clarification but the most important thing is that how can we execute such a big operation without proper rehabilitation. We will have to talk about rehabilitation.”
“These are poorest of the poor people of the country. We cannot drive them away who have been settled here since 20 years. It is nothing short of criminal (act),” Maliwal told reporters.
In one of her tweets, she said, “11-year-old girl got 9 stitches on head in stampede during demolition. Unable to give exam tomorrow.” —PTI