Valmiki Basti is cause of dispute, again

RAMPUR: Many Muslim members of Rampur municipality closely associated with state urban development minister Azam Khan passed a resolution against district magistrate Chandra Prakash Tripathi for signing an “agreement” with residents of Valmiki Basti. The chairman of the municipal board, Azhar Khan, also passed a “vote of censure” against officials of the district administration for supporting residents of the Valmiki Basti, who were termed “enroachers”.
The resolution was sent to the state government, with demands for “strict action” against DM Tripathi. Raj Kumar Verka, vice chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, told TOI that an “atrocities notice” would be issued against chairman Azhar Khan of Rampur Municipality for passing the “illegal” resolution against residents of Valmiki Basti. Five BJP members opposed the resolution.
The Municipal Board on Monday called an urgent session and passed the resolution against DM Tripathi.
Nagar Palika official Sibtay Nabi, also in charge of properties of the city municipality, said that in 1966, there were only 12 houses in the Valmiki Basti area. The entire land is now encroached upon, he said, adding that only the municipal board can provide ownership deeds to land – the district administration has no authority in the matter. Another member said the district administration has been “illegally interfering” in the affairs of the municipality.
Raj Kumar Verka told TOI, “The agreement with the Valmiki Basti residents was signed in my presence by the DM. IG Bareilly range has also signed it. Rampur Nagar Palika chairman Azhar Khan and his officials have violated provisions of the SC Act. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes will take cognizance of this resolution.” He added that the DM, as custodian of the district, could take any action to safeguard law and order. He asserted that the SC commission would not permit the demolition of the houses, come what may.
The district magistrate, additional district magistrate MP Singh and city magistrate were all away on medical leave and could not be reached for comments in the matter. The district is presently being looked after by chief development officer Amit Kishore. TOI approached Kishore, but he declined to comment on this matter.
On April 14, in a desperate bid to prevent the demolition of their homes, about 800 Valmikis wore skull caps and said they would convert to Islam, since the homes of Muslims in the area had not been marked out for demolition, so space could be made for a parking lot and a mall.