But the KMC and the Refugee Relief Department (RRD) are clueless an alternative place for the victims. “Rehabilitation is the first priority. But that is the most uncertain issue at this moment,” said CPM leader Rabin Deb.
Mayor Biaksh Ranjan Bhattcharya says nothing different: “We are talking to the refugee relief department. But no alternative place has been decided so far.” “There are no chances of re-establishing the colony in the affected area. The refugee rehabilitation department and KMC are trying to find an alternative place to set up temporary houses for the affected people. But no area has been fixed yet,” added Deb after meeting Abbu Sufiyan, MMiC of KMC’s Bustee Department.
None of families have any legal documents to claim ownership. Local councillor Alok Mazumder says that the absence of legal papers has complicated the issue of rehabilitation. “This is the reason why we will not be able to rehabilitate them in the area,” he adds.
“It is true that we do not have any legal documents. From voter identity cards to ration cards, we have lost everything,” said Beauty Roy, at the the relief camp in Milani Sangha. The three bigha land, which belongs to the RRD, was a low marshy area. This area, like many other low-lying places existing along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, was filled up with earth and occupied illegally. Backed by various political parties, the area continued to draw more and more people to set up homes.