HDC evicts squatter who said God sent him to occupy house in Golconda

The house in Golconda that a squatter said God chose for him (Express photo) 

Security guards working for the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on Tuesday evicted a man from a house at the HDC development at Ridgewood Gardens, Golconda, who occupied the property without authorisation, saying God had sent him there. 

Media reports did not identify the man but stated that security personnel ordered the occupant to vacate the two-bedroom concrete house.

Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal did not take kindly to the man's explanation. He made it clear that "we are not going to tolerate citizens who bridge the law in such an obscene manner where they move into Government property." 

Moonilal added, "We have over 100,000 persons who have applied for housing and the majority of them are waiting patiently and praying and hoping that they will be facilitated. And it is not only illegal but so unfair that persons will choose to break the locks at an HDC site and move in, in such a boldfaced manner while others are sacrificing and waiting," Moonilal said.

"The gentleman broke into the house and said God sent him there. God is not employed at the allocation department and God didn't tell us that either. Last weekend security moved to remove him but he is now packing up what could amount to a lot of personal effects," the minister said.

The HDC is establishing an integrated security service to patrol Housing Development Corporation (HDC) communities to prevent people from entering and occupying housing units illegally.

Moonilal told local media the service will comprise HDC agencies, including the Estate Management & Business Development Company Ltd (EMBD) and the Land Settlement Agency (LSA).