Kathputli Colony demolition: CPI slams police for lathicharge

The Communist Party of India (CPI) lashed out at the Delhi Police for alleged lathicharge on people protesting against the demolition at Kathputli Colony here today, and demanded strong action against those responsible for it.
The Delhi Development Authority today began a demolition drive at west Delhi's Kathputli Colony, triggering clashes among its residents, activists and the police.
However, the police and the DDA denied using any force against the protesters.
"The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of India condemns the brutal lathicharge of police at Kathputli Colony opposite Shadipur depot today morning, injuring several people. Hundreds of police suddenly invaded the colony and destroyed it with bulldozers," a CPI statement said.

The statement stated that a delegation of the CPI national executive consisting of Annie Raja and Filomina John visited the injured at the hospital.
The Left party alleged that "despite assurance from the Union ministers, the demolition took place in the most inhuman way destroying everything of the 4,800 poor families who had been living in Kathputli Colony for the last 6-7 decades".
The party has also alleged that the colony, which is yet to be regularised, was demolished as the land has been allotted to a private builder for the construction of multi- storeyed buildings, malls and residential complexes.

The CPI has demanded "release of all those who have been taken under police custody and initiate action against those responsible for unprovoked brutal lathicharge, along with restoration of the colony".