AAP REACHES OUT TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MASSIVE FIRE IN BAWANA JHUGGIS

 

Its sheer apathy of Shiela Dikshit Government that led to the massive fire that engulfed the entire jhuggi cluster in Bawana yesterday leaving many dead and numerous injured. The Delhi Government has been shedding crocodile tears since the tragedy happened, while the truth is that it could have been easily averted had the Government been more sensitive to its people’s needs. Unfortunately, Shiela Dikshit who boasts of being Delhi Chief Minister for last 15 years has failed miserably to understand the pulse of its people.

Yesterday, when AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai visited the area, people cried their heart out. Many people living the Jhuggis informed that the Government had promised them land long back in 2006. The people had even deposited money with the DDA for the same. The papers along with the receipts were burned to ashes in the fire. Those who managed to retrieve their papers, showed them to us (See Attachment). Even though more than 6 years have passed, no land has been allotted to them forcing them to live in slums. The Delhi Government had been sitting on these applications and poor people’s money for many years. What was it waiting for – were they waiting for a tragedy like this to happen or the next assembly elections?

The casualness of the Government was evident when a statement released by the Chief Minister’s office said it had “deputed” the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), sub-divisional magistrates and other officers along with the local MLA to “take care of the affected persons”. The ground reality is that the residents of the JJ cluster have received little attention from the authorities.

Many children have passed away in the fire. Volunteers present at the site have informed that atleast 7 children had passed away yesterday itself in the incident and more than 500 poultry and cattle were charred to death.

Meanwhile, more than 400 Aam Aadmi Party volunteers have rushed to the spot and been working there since yesterday providing relief to the people. Volunteers from almost all constituencies have reached the spot and ensured adequate supplies to the area. Medicines, food, drinking water, clothes etc have been collected in abundance by the volunteers and delivered to Bawana. An open call has been given to people who are willing to donate in cash or kind for relief activities in the area. Responding to it, many people have come forward to help with whatever they can.