It's a double whammy of sorts for hutments, who are reeling under severe crisis after fire raged through their settlement of over 600 huts at Sainagar in L.B. Nagar a few days ago. A 10-year-old girl Sandhya was charred to death and three others suffered injuries in the Saturday's fire incident.
While slum dwellers are yet to come to terms from the loss they suffered after the fire, thieves are now giving them sleepless nights. Residents purchased utensils, garments and plastic covers with Rs.8, 000 compensation given by the State Government. They brought plastic sheets to erect makeshift tents at their respective huts.
But thieves are striking at night to steal leftover valuables along with the new articles leaving hutments on the edge. Some of them who managed to preserve the damaged goods were also stolen for selling to scrap dealers. “We are already in crisis and thieves are now creating additional problems for us,” rues a housewife Srilatha.
Another problem the families are facing is lack of proper shelter. They put up makeshift tents with plastic covers to protect themselves from scorching heat. But it was not providing enough relief, many complain. They say at least five persons, including three-year-old Sai Charan, suffered sunstroke during the last few days.
“It's becoming difficult everyday for us to stay under sweltering heat. We request the State government to take necessary steps for providing proper shelter,' says 50-year-old S. Laxmamma. Labourers from neighbouring Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Warangal and Ranga Reddy districts who migrated to the capital were staying in 7.19 acres of Government land at Sainagar.
Officials, however, say monetary compensation has already been extended to affected families as per norms. “We gave Rs.8,000 to each family affected in the mishap while Rs.1.50 lakh to Sandhya's family,” says Ranga Reddy District Collector V. Seshadri.
Sources say the government is planning to construct permanent houses to slum dwellers despite knowing that the seven acres of land was encroached. “On sympathetic grounds, the government is seriously considering the matter in favour of slum dwellers,” they add.
