The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has condemned the recent demolitions of homes in the Salagi Layout, calling them legally unjustified and discriminatory. The demolitions, carried out by the Ministry of Lands on March 28 and April 3, 2025, have sparked public outrage. EFSCRJ accused the government of selective land enforcement and favoring officials and businesses over ordinary citizens, citing past land allocations in protected areas like Monkey Park and Salagi Forest.
According to the Centre, while the Ministry has previously taken steps to curb corruption and irregularities in land administration including warnings to the public against illegal land transactions and the development of a national land policy these efforts have been undermined by selective enforcement and inconsistent land management practices.
EFSCRJ highlighted past instances where the government has demolished homes in areas such as Batokunku and allocated parts of protected lands, including Monkey Park and Salagi Forest, to private entities.
The Centre accused the government of prioritizing the interests of high-ranking officials and businesses over those of ordinary citizens, often in violation of the State Lands Act. It also criticized the lack of transparency, noting that its request for a list of land allocations from 2017 to 2024 under the Access to Information Act remains unanswered.
The rights group criticized the lack of transparency in land management and called for an immediate halt to demolitions, full compensation for affected residents, and public release of land allocation records. It also recommended new legislation to regulate estate agencies and protect buyers. EFSCRJ joined local leaders in urging victims to seek legal redress and pledged support in pursuing accountability.
