New Delhi: The death of a toddler at Shakur Basti during a railway anti-encroachment drive took a political turn on Monday.

A combined Opposition on Monday launched a full-fledged attack and cornered the ruling NDA over the Shakur Basti demolition row. The AAP MPs, who were protesting at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the Parliament, were joined by Trinamool Congress and JDU MPs.

The JDU has already given adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha to bring up Shakur Basti demolition issue. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is also all set to rake up the issue in Parliament.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has sought an appointment with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to discuss the issue.

However, it is reported that Prabhu has stated in the Parliament that the girl had died before the demolition driver took place.

More than 500 slums were demolished in an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the Indian Railways in Shakur Basti on Saturday and a child died during the drive. While the family of the child held the Railways responsible for the death, the Railways remained defiant stating that its actions were in accordance with Central and State laws.

Railway sources had also said that they had nothing to do with the death of the child.

The residents also insisted that their homes were demolished without any prior warning or notice.