Bawana Resettlement Colony

Public Hearing on Security

September 7, 2007

In January 2004, the Tourism Ministry of the Government of India announced its
plan of developing a 100 acre strip of land on the banks of Yamuna into a riverside
promenade, to be marketed as a major tourist attraction in the lead up to the
commonwealth Games. In February and April 2004, homes and community
buildings in the area were razed to the ground leaving thousands of people homeless.
These evicted families were relocated to Bawana on the margins of the city which
has eroded their rights and undermined the livelihoods of several, leaving them in a
state of permanent poverty and facing innumerable struggles to live with dignity in
the face of assaults on their identity.
(Excerpt taken from Swept off the Map-Surviving
Eviction and Resettlement in Delhi)

LOCATION OF BAWANA

Shelter For All

Economic Development
Quality of Life
Safe Environment

Jagori has been active in the

upliftment of the Bawana residents and
have carried out various programmes
from time to time.

Public hearing
Keeping in view the problems faced by
Bawana, Jagori Mahila Adhikar
Nigrani Samiti organised a Public
Hearing (Jan Baithak) on 6
September, 2007 on the problem of
security in particular the security of
women.

Venue: Jhanda Chowk, Bawana

J.J.Colony,Delhi

Slogan:Suraksha hamara adhikar hai,

Hamari suraksha police ka kartavya hai

Pamphlet distributed for the Public Hearing

Panel Members
Sagarpreet Hooda, DCP, Outer Delhi
Jeetendra Kumar,Inspector, Narela
Police Station

Issues raised
Rules of registering a
F.I.R
The parameters in which
police can arrest a person

Rights of
the
accused

Role of
police in
response
to the
domestic
violence
acts

If a complaint is
not taken up by
the police, whom
to contact

Where and whom

to complain about
a policemans
misbehaviour.

Role of police in response to the

security of women in the colony.

Course of the Meeting

Mass participation of the residents of Bawana
People came up with their problems, especially
women
Inspector Jeetendra Kumar addressed the audience
and offered solutions
Poster on the steps to be taken before going to a
police station published by Jagori was introduced.
DCP Sagarpreet Hooda addressed the audience and
promised to personally look after the security
problems of Bawana.

Testimonies
One of the residents of Bawana stated that when she had
gone to complain in the police station after a fight with her
neighbours, the police did not co-operate with her. They
were not ready to listen to what she said and misbehaved.
She asked the panelists that to whom she should approach
if Police is not ready to help?
Another woman told how she was asked to bribe , by the
police officials when she went to take his brother from the
jail. She still doesnt know why he was arrested and why
she had to bribe them?
The police even showed negligence when a woman had
approached them to save her from domestic violence. She
asked who can help her in such situation?

Inspector Jeetendra Kumar was poignant to hear the

testimonies and showed regret for the negligence by
his department. He assured to appoint more lady
police in Bawana and asked them to directly contact
him if any such case happens in future. He promised
to fully co-operate with the residents.

The Public Meeting provided a platform to the Bawana

inhabitants to meet the authorities on a one to one to basis. It
helped them in addressing their problems and find efficient
solutions for the same.
It was also a podium to recognise their rights and how they can
stand for them and fight against any injustices.
The promises made and the decisions taken during the meet
are in effect since then and there has been remarkable
change in the attitude of the police officials and the people as
well.
Jagori maintains regular checks on the behaviour of the police
and whether women are safe in Bawana. If any breach , Jagori
members along with the local people take effective actions
against it.