Azad Maidan is home away from home for protesting slum dwellers

Mumbai, May 26 (UNI) The ongoing demolition drive by Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) against slums in the city has pushed thousands of homeless to Azad Maidan, making it their temporary shelter.

Mohammed Wasim, hailing from Mandala at Mankhurd in north east Mumbai is stationed at the Maidan from May 17. He said, ''I am staying here at the mercy of others. I have lost everything and do not have any place to go.'' Around, 3000 people, which included women and children from Mandala and other parts of the city affected by recent demolition drives by BMC are camped at the Azad Maidan from the past 10 days.

''Here we get Khichdi twice a day, which is cooked in the community kitchen. We don't have the money, so few kind-hearted people donate rice and other vegetables,'' remarked Salimbhai, another dweller.

Located opposite to the BMC complex, the Maidan known as a launchpad for protests in the city, has turned into a new home for hundreds of children of these protesting dwellers.

Seshsram Yadav, another protestor added, 'Many of us are sick here with cough and fever. Nobody has bothered to provide us with any medicine.'' With no water and lavaratory around, the threat of an epidemic looms large among the people protesting here.

Mohammed Asim, who bore the brunt of police batons during demolition drive said, ''The BMC is situated next to us. They are aware of our presence and it is a deliberate attempt on their part to deny us even clean drinking water.'' Narmada Bachaon Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar today along with Rahul Bose, Anand Patwardhan and others, joined the protestors at the Maidan.

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