The district administration of Rawalpindi has carried out a major eviction drive in the area earmarked for the Daducha Dam project, leaving numerous families homeless and in distress. The action, which took place recently, involved the demolition of homes and structures without prior payment of the compensation promised to the landowners and residents.
Forced Evictions Amidst Unfulfilled Promises
According to local reports and affected residents, the administration's teams, accompanied by police, arrived with heavy machinery including bulldozers. They proceeded to demolish houses, boundary walls, and other constructions on the land required for the dam. The residents stated that they were given verbal orders to vacate but had not received any financial compensation for their properties, which contradicts earlier assurances from the authorities.
The Daducha Dam project, a long-planned initiative aimed at addressing Rawalpindi's water shortage, requires a significant amount of land. The government had announced a compensation package for those whose land would be acquired. However, the recent operation suggests the evictions were executed before the compensation process was finalized or disbursed to all affected parties.
Residents' Plight and Protest
The sudden eviction has plunged many families into a state of crisis. Many have been rendered homeless overnight, with their possessions left exposed to the elements. The affected individuals, including women and children, have been forced to seek shelter with relatives or in makeshift arrangements.
In response to this action, a group of affectees held a protest demonstration. They blocked a main road to voice their anger and demand justice. The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans against the district administration and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the body overseeing the dam project. Their primary demand is the immediate provision of the promised compensation for their land and homes before any further demolition takes place.
The protest caused significant traffic disruption, highlighting the intensity of the local community's frustration. The demonstrators vowed to continue their agitation until their legitimate demands are met by the relevant authorities.
Administration's Stance and Future Implications
While the district administration maintains that the eviction is necessary for the public welfare project, the method and timing have drawn severe criticism. The absence of a transparent and completed compensation mechanism prior to demolition raises serious questions about the rights of citizens and the process of land acquisition in development projects.
This incident sets a concerning precedent for other development projects across Pakistan. It underscores the critical need for authorities to ensure that all legal and ethical procedures, especially fair compensation and rehabilitation, are fully settled before displacing people from their ancestral lands. The situation at Daducha Dam remains tense, with affected families awaiting a formal response and resolution to their plight.
