Officials evict 315 families, houses demolished on Konnur High Road

Chellamal, a domestic worker had lived in the locality for the last four generations. But on Sunday, she and her family found themselves in the tenements of Perumbakkam, waiting for their tokens to enter their new home. “Our family has lived there for the last 60 years. Suddenly, a month ago we were served a notice that our houses will be demolished and we will have to leave to Perumbakkam,” she said.

The residents had also filed a writ petition with the help of Pennurimai Iyakkam. The court order stated, “The 315 families are directed to move from the present place on or before 10.06.2018, failing which it is open for the fourth respondent - Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and the second respondent - Chennai City Municipal Corporation, to allot an alternative place to some other ‘eligible persons’ based on the seniority as per the list maintained by them, of course by way of identification.”

Another resident, Kalavathy, said, “On Sunday, we asked the Corporation officials for one more day - that we would leave on our own. But, without listening, they threw us out like garbage.” Another neighbour, Poongoodi’s husband had passed away a few days ago, following a heart attack on being informed about the eviction. “She has two children, aged six and three. There’s a ritual for the deceased on Monday,” Kalavathy said.

The families have been fighting for in-situ rehabilitation, since most of them work in nearby areas. “Now we will have to travel to Ayanavaram daily for our jobs because there are no opportunities here,” said Priya, whose husband works as a coolie.

A senior Corporation official asserted that since most of the families were willing to move, it was decided to resettle them at the earliest. We worked according to the Court order that stated they should be moved before June 10.

Lakshmi and her family, who moved to their tenements at Perumbakkam on Sunday, brought along their pets - two stray dogs and cats that they’ve adopted. On hot summer afternoons, Lakshmi would buy water sachets for Soni and Sonia, two tabby cats that the family adopted. “They were in the streets and lived along with us. We couldn’t leave them behind,” said Lakshmi.