MAKKAH — The National Society for Human Rights' (NSHR) office in Makkah is attempting to stop local authorities from evicting residents in the holy city's Jabal Khandama district. The Saudi Electricity Company cut off power from around 50 buildings in the area and gave people a week's notice to leave their houses. The society said the majority of people in the district are poor and will face great difficulties if they immediately evacuate their homes, which they own as per official title deeds. They want authorities to delay the eviction until December to give them time to find another place. The people have not received any compensation for their expropriated properties so far. Awad Al-Zayedi, NSHR Makkah's branch director, said the society hoped local authorities would treat the residents in the same way it treated others whose houses had been expropriated and compensated. He said: “Jabal Khandama is famous for being a rugged area and most people live on top of the mountain. Plus, their houses don't obstruct or block any project work. It's important that the residents be provided with apartments.” Saeed Al-Zahrani, who spoke on behalf of the residents, said they were demanding that authorities provide substitute accommodation for people who have not received any compensation for their expropriated properties as they are still being valued. He added: “Most people living here are on limited incomes. They are scared because they live in the dark. “They can't move to another place because the school year has just begun and their children have started school again.” All houses have been numbered by special committees. However, the residents have not been provided with any information on the value of their houses as they are still being evaluated, Al-Zahrani added. Okaz/Saudi Gazette visited the scene and saw residents packing up to leave their homes. They said they just wanted to get out of the dark as they have elderly and sick people who cannot manage long without electricity.
