Wakil Hasan was among the 12 brave individuals credited with saving the lives of dozens of labourers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The home of Wakil Hasan, hailed as a hero for his pivotal role in the Uttarakhand Tunnel Mission, was demolished on Thursday without any prior notice by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Hasan, who was among the 12 brave individuals credited with saving the lives of dozens of labourers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, expressed his anguish and disbelief over the sudden destruction of his residence in Shri Ram Colony, Khajuri Khas in northeast Delhi.
On 12 November 2023, a section of the Silkyara Bend–Barkot tunnel in the Uttarkashi district caved in while under construction. The collapse occurred trapped 41 workers inside the tunnel. The workers were rescued after 17 days.
Hasan, who had tirelessly worked to ensure the safety and rescue of the trapped labourers, stated, “My house was the only thing that I asked for as a reward, but it was demolished without any warning.” He recounted how the government had assured him that his house would be safe, only to witness it reduced to rubble without any explanation.
Accompanied by Manna Quraishi, another member of the heroic rescue team, Hasan highlighted the mistreatment they faced at the hands of authorities. Quraishi lamented the police’s treatment, accusing them of unjustly treating them as criminals and even taking Hasan’s minor children to the police station, subjecting them to physical violence.
In a statement, the DDA asserted that the demolition was part of a campaign to clear encroachments on planned development land in Khajuri Khas village. It claimed that Hasan’s house was among several illegally constructed structures targeted during the operation. However, Hasan refuted the DDA claim, emphasising that he had built his house in 2012 with assurances from the administration that it would not be disturbed.
Despite DDA’s offer to relocate Hasan and his family to a temporary residence, Hasan refused, citing lack of written assurances. Instead, he and his family were left to sit amidst the ruins of their demolished home, a stark reminder of the injustice they have endured.
The demolition of Hasan’s house has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with many demanding satisfactory response from the authorities. As Hasan and his family grapple with the loss of their home, their plight serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by everyday heroes in their fight for justice and recognition.
