Continuing protests: Municipal staff grapples with Bunder wall squatters

The Miranis complained that their belongings were destroyed.

SUKKUR:

Dozens of Mirani men, women and children staged a protest demonstration and sit-in at the Sukkur-Rohri road near Landsdowne Bridge on Thursday, against the government’s decision to raise their houses because they were inside the Bunder wall.

The Miranis with a large number of women and children led by Hanifan, Bhag Bhari and Mai Bachul gathered at the bridge and shouted slogans against the Rohri municipal administration. The crowd burnt tyres and blocked the road, causing a traffic jam between Rohri and Sukkur for over two hours.

Bhag Bhari Mirani told The Express Tribune that they had been living inside the bunder wall for over 40 years and had never caused any damage to it. The wall protects Sukkur city when the Indus river floods its embankments.

Bhag Bhari’s husband supports them by selling wood from the Katcha area and as a labourer. They managed to build a two-room house but now the municipal authorities have bulldozed it. The couple claims that they were not given any notice but this has been disputed by the authorities. They have been clearing the squatters living inside the Bunder wall because the settlement has encroached on the river bed and during floods these people are at risk.

This issue has been simmering since the floods from last year and the authorities are keen to ensure that they are prepared this year. The squatters had been repeatedly told to leave.

Rohri Chief Municipal Officer Fayaz Ahmed Qazi told The Express Tribune that the residents had been served notices two weeks ago. They were given a week to move out but refused to budge.

Another protester Hanifan Mirani complained that when they came to destroy the houses they had no regard for their personal belongings. “We were not even allowed to take away our household items, which were mercilessly thrown on the road,” she said.

Rohri Sub-divisional Magistrate Mubeen Ellahi came to negotiate with the protesters. He assured them that they would be given alternate plots. This seemed to mollify them.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th,  2011.