A third attempt by the police to evict illegal occupants from the Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) Clifton Towers proved unsuccessful yesterday as the people returned within mere minutes after the police left.
Legal tenants said the HDC now has to implement a “permanent strategy,” “to really get them out.”
At about 6.30 am six police vehicles arrived at the compound.Police officers went to the fifth floor of Tower 3 and the Sixth floor of Tower 4 where they removed the illegal tenants.
However, people illegally occupying the washroom areas of the four Towers and its ground floors were left alone.Shortly before 8 am, just after the team of officers left the area, the illegal tenants were seen moving back with their personal belongings.
Legal tenants said they are absolutely fed up and are calling on the HDC to implement a 24/7 police and army post.
They claim that illegal activities are being conducted by the illegal tenants and said their lives and the lives of their children are under threat on a daily basis.
On November 16 and 23, 2017, two attempts were made to remove the illegal tenants, but they too returned shortly after the police and soldiers left.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, during an address to the nation on November 24 2017, said some homeowners were being chased out of their homes while others faced house invasion by people who had no respect for law and order at Clifton Towers.
A HDC official said they would not give up the fight in removing the illegal tenants from all their compounds, including at its Clifton Towers. The official, however, did not want to comment further on the situation.
