From Slum to Slum: Evicted Railway Land Occupiers Move to Tents
Jakarta. Hundreds of people have been living in tents in Kampung Bandan, North Jakarta, since they were removed on Monday from their shelters occupying a land owned by railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia, or KAI.
They previously lived at slump shelters alongside a railroad near Kampung Bandan Station and were given eviction notice last Thursday for illegal occupation of the government property.
The eviction is also due to the city government’s plan to upgrade and expand the station, which will integrate the commuter train network with the yet-to-be-built Mass Rapid Transport network in North Jakarta.
One of the campers, Rasmiyati, 59, said the railway company didn’t give enough time for her group to find new shelters, nor did it pay compensation to allow them to rent homes.
She said every person in the encampment was hit by financial hardship brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic that caused them a sudden loss of employment.
"Three to four families have to share a tent. We violate the government’s health protocol [on social distancing] because KAI didn’t listen to us," she said.
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