The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has stepped in to provide temporary relief to twenty-five families facing displacement from the Snehanjali Society in Ghatlodia. This action comes just a day after residents staged a protest against receiving demolition notices for their homes, which were declared illegal.
Immediate Relief After Protest
Following the protest by the distressed residents, the civic body moved swiftly to arrange temporary accommodation. The AMC has allotted flats in the Gujarat Housing Board (GHB) scheme located in Naranpura to the displaced families. This decision was reached after a crucial meeting held between AMC officials and the members of the housing society.
During the discussions, the society members agreed to accept this temporary alternative arrangement. They also provided a significant assurance to the authorities. The residents stated that any future decision taken by the AMC and the GHB regarding rent payments for these flats or other financial matters would be acceptable to them, paving the way for a smoother transition.
A Three-Decade-Old Dispute Comes to a Head
The root of the crisis lies in a decades-old property dispute. The Snehanjali Society was constructed approximately 35 years ago. According to the residents, the original builder deviated from the sanctioned plan. The society was built on a plot different from the one that was originally allotted, and the houses were sold to the current occupants.
The legal troubles began when the original owner of the plot approached the courts. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, whose ruling led to the society being declared illegal. This judicial order forced the AMC's hand, resulting in the issuance of the demolition notices that sparked the protest.
Political Intervention and Public Anger
The residents' frustration was palpable when they gathered at the society's gate on Monday to voice their protest. The situation drew political attention, with BJP councillor Samir Patel visiting the site. However, the visit did not calm tensions. Locals protested against the councillor, forcing him to leave the spot, highlighting the depth of their distress and anger over the sudden threat of losing their homes.
While the allotment of temporary flats in Naranpura offers a crucial respite, the long-term future of these twenty-five families remains uncertain. The resolution hinges on the final decisions of the AMC and GHB regarding the financial terms of their temporary stay and any potential permanent rehabilitation.
