Violation of human rights, cry NGOs

KOCHI: Various NGOs have come out against the Kochi Corporation for evicting the migrants from Manappatiparambu without providing them alternative rehabilitation facilities. The NGOs alleged that the corporation had evicted them as they came from other states and asked why action had not been taken against encroachments on MG Road and Perandoor Canal.   Social activist Murugan said the corporation should have informed the migrants before they were driven out. When asked if the corporation had failed in checking such dwellings that sprout in the city, he said no one could stop the migrants from pitching tents in open places. “These people come here and stay for a few months and then leave the place. They are not permanent settlers,” he said.  Murugan said there was no place in Kochi for proper rehabilitation of these groups once they were driven out. But as these people are nomads, no one cared for them and most of the time the corporation authorities drive them out of the city limits, he said. It only meant that they would again pitch tents in some other parts of the city, he added. It was only because of the interest of some corporates that these people were being driven out now, he alleged. Jose Maveli of Janaseva Sisubhavan opined that the corporation had evicted them after getting complaints from the residents and the business houses but it should have looked into the humanitarian angle also.  “The sad part is that the children and women are the most affected,” he said. Mathew, who is working among migrant workers, is  of the opinion that the administration had the responsibility to provide alternative facilities while evicting the pavement dwellers.  Social activist George Bruno said the nomads were free to travel anywhere and they did not stay in a particular place for more than six months. Stating that the nomads had the right to dwell anywhere, he said the corporation’s action was an encroachment on the rights of the nomads. “As the nomads are not willing to stay at a place for a long time, they would have left the place any time,” he said. Bruno also opined that the corporation should have taken some steps to rehabilitating them.