CMC Colony residents up in arms against relocation

Coimbatore:

Residents

of CMC Colony, which is primarily occupied by conservancy workers of the Coimbatore corporation, approached the district collector on Monday and protested against the eviction notices served by the slum clearance board. They are not willing to shift to the slum tenements in Vellalore and want new houses in the colony, they said in a petition.

As many as 450 families have been residing in CMC Colony for the last two decades, the protesters said. “On August 18, the residents got a notice with a token number, ration card holder’s name and father’s name directing them to move by the month-end and pay Rs 36,000 to be allotted a house. However, the letter lacked the Tamil Nadu Resettlement Board’s letterhead or an official signature,” said advocate E Pugazhendhi.

The shifting will affect their children’s education as many are attending local schools, the petition said. “They want us to move to tenements in Vellalore, which is far away. Moreover, the apartments are close to the dumpyard. It is well-known that people living near the dumpyard suffer from skin ailments, breathing problems and have to cope with flies,” said Pugazhendhi.

“Also, how can they arrange Rs 36,000, as the month is almost over?” he asked.