MUMBAI, June 20: Wouldn't it be better if we were insects rather than human beings?'' asks Jankidevi bitterly, surveying the water-logged wasteland that was once her house. ``At least, we could have been crushed under rocks instead of standing and watching helplessly.'' Spine-chilling sentiments, but the only ones available from Babrekar Nagar residents at Kandivli (W) who have been turned out of their homes in a seven-day-long demolition drive undertaken by the state government despite the rains.

The place that only a week ago housed thousands of hutments today looks like a flood-hit village. Children salvage their belongings, shivering in the rain. Men wade in knee-deep water to collect their tin chhapras, and makeshift plastic tents on the roadside are in danger of being demolished. At a distance, bulldozers employed by state agencies continue to demolish peoples' homes.

Contrary to Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the collector's (both of whom own a part of the 40 acres) claims, not one family of the nearly 5000 dispossessed has been given alternate housing. ``We will be checking proofs and those found to be residents living before the datum line of 1.1.95 will be given alternate houses,'' MHADA's chairman Vilas Avachat had told this paper when the demolition began on Friday last. This was reiterated by additional collector Suresh Karande. A week later, the residents, most of whom have been living there for five years, are still running the merry-go-round of different offices in and around Kandivli.

A notice on a soaking wet cardboard claims that locals should take their papers to the talathi's office at Malwani. Photocopies, originals of ration cards and photo I-cards issued by the election commission are carried by the residents. But the offices are nowhere. ``Where are we supposed to go?''

asks Asharfi Lal Yadav. ``I went to the office at Malwani yesterday. They told me to go to a place called Ekvira. There, it was told it is at Asmita (a cooperative society nearby), and after that someone said it is at Charkop.''

On Friday, the residents had been called to offer their papers for scrutiny. Till 12.30 pm, a crowd had gathered at the entrance, but no official was in sight.

Even pucca structures like those of Matruchhaya chawl that existed before 1991 are being demolished now. ``No notice was served on us,'' said Yadav, ``and we thought since ours was legal, we would not be touched. But since yesterday, the bulldozers have been at our door.''

These `Uttar Bharatis,' having neither political support nor money, are afraid their last proofs of rightful existence will be snatched by officials. ``In one place they asked us to hand over our originals. You think they will return them?'' asked Bal Krishna Maurya.

During the entire demolition exercise, there have been at least three fires which, locals say, have killed a woman and three children. ``The bulldozer turned on a burning stove, which fell, and the hut caught fire,'' said Yadav. Men, women and children have been beaten up even as they have tried to save their belongings. ``I was trying to collect my younger brother,'' said 12-year-old Shama, ``when they beat me and took away our vessels, including our huge `handis'." Her mother, a maidservant, was out on work, and her handicapped father was beaten. Now he cannot walk. At least 3 men are still unconscious in hospitals, according to locals. Political parties have been of no help. Ram Naik, BJP MP, apparently said alternate accommodation would be given. ``But when?'' the residents ask. Children have stopped going to school, men have stopped going to work.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.