The Delhi High Court instructed the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) to refrain from carrying out any demolition activities against the Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Yamuna floodplains since 2011.
A petition has been lodged in the High Court contesting the March 4 notice instructing the residents to evacuate the area by March 6. The petitioner has requested an injunction to halt the demolition until there is alternative accommodation arranged for the approximately 800 individuals.
The subsequent hearing regarding the issue is scheduled for March 19.
Meanwhile, the legal representative for the Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in the Yamuna floodplain area in Delhi’s Majnu ka Tilla urged the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to construct embankments along the Yamuna River.
“I have mentioned in the petition that DDA should build the embankments along the Yamuna wherever they want so that some protection may be given,” Advocate RK Bali said on Wednesday.
The NGT instructed the DDA to eliminate encroachments from the Yamuna floodplain area.
Speaking about the government’s stand on the issue after the notification of Rules on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Bali said, “The stand of the government is to give protection, shelter and every type of support to the displaced persons who have come to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The CAA came into being in 2019 and after the notification is issued they will get citizenship.”
Advocate Bali also highlighted the presence of other structures on the Yamuna floodplain.
“Moreover, other facilities are also there in the flood area. There is a gurudwara in the vicinity, Majnu ka Tila. The Akshardham temple, commonwealth village and other flats…are built on the river area,” he said.
He emphasized that these refugees began residing in the area following the directives of the Delhi High Court.
“They have been living there since 2011. The Government settled them there on the directions of the Delhi High Court. Authorities provided them with all the facilities,” he said.