Houses demolished, residents ask govt: Where will we live?

Jaipur: A group of residents whose houses and shops were demolished as encroachments by JDA demanded compensation or alternative accommodation from the state govt. They complained that decades ago, the Congress govt compulsorily acquired their farmlands to establish the nearby army cantonment, and now the BJP govt was demolishing more than 80% of their residential properties to expand Sirsi Road.
"We are fourth-generation inhabitants of this locality and our ancestors were farmers. We possess pattas from the erstwhile panchayats. When JDA approached us, we were initially willing to relinquish the shops situated at the front of our buildings. However, they disregarded our proposal and now intend to acquire more than 80% of our property. Where shall we reside?" said Santosh Choudhary, a 62-year-old housewife.
Madhuri Choudhary, another resident, said, "We know there are laws that require the govt to provide compensation for acquiring land/property. Four out of five rooms of my house were demolished. We cannot continue residing in it. We request the state govt to provide either monetary compensation or alternative accommodation for us."
Women from the locality staged a brief protest during JDA's demolition drive. However, a team of police women promptly removed them and the drive proceeded.
"Police and JDA team arrived at our locality around 5am. Prior to that, a team from Vaishali Nagar police station arrived and detained all male members of the locality," alleged Narayani Choudhary.