A total of 77 families who belongs to Dalit community have been facing serious threat of mass eviction in Chennai's Thangavel street. Recently on 28th December 2020 Police and Chennai Corporation authorities visited Thangavel street and told the residents that they should live the street and demolished their homes.
Now thousands of residents are staying opposite to their demolished homes by seeking justice to get their homes back. They are living now in tents.
According to them for over 50 years,77 Dalit families have been residing in this area.
An order has passed by the Government of Tamil Nadu that 'Housing Pattas' can be issued for families that have been residing on Government 'Poramboke' land for a period of 5 years.
However, these families who have lived here for over 50 years, have not received any 'Patta', a legal document issued by the Government in the name of the actual owner of a particular plot of land.
Residents in Thangavel street claims that the eviction has badly affected their livelihood and there is uncertainty in relocation and rehabilitation.
Residents including women and school/college going students are not safe and they can not access online classes and attend semester exams.
Government told them to shift their livelihood from Thangavel street to kilometers away from Chennai. Residents in Thangavel street are now living with uncertainty.