The old railway employees settlement Kampung Railway in Sentul, that was destroyed last week, should have been preserved as a heritage site, the Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia has said.

Its leader P Waythamoorthy ( left ), who is also deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the displaced residents are now "landless" despite the compensation that the government has given.

"Merdeka means nothing new to these people as they continue to be a landless community. The federal government in 1957 should have found solutions for them.

"Kampung Railway, for one, should be protected as a heritage village," said Waythamoorthy in a statement yesterday.

However his comment comes a week late as the last of the residents resisting the demolition of their home were extricated over Christmas.

On Dec 24, bulldozers claimed what was left of the settlement and residents who resisted were arrested , including a minor.

Waythamoorthy said calling the settlers illegal was unfair as historical context was important.

"The contribution of the forefathers of these small community in Sentul have been totally ignored by the authorities.

"The plight of  Kg Railway and many other Indians settlements are similar in nature and have to been understood in terms of their legitimate rights as well as sympathetically by any caring government.

"Every settlement issues about Indians are conveniently seen as squatters. Hence every issues about the Indians are seen in the eyes of illegality," he said.

The deputy minister also slammed the compensation offered to the residents, who have been allowed to stay in low-cost People’s Housing Projects (PPR) flats in other locations rent-free for three years, and a subsidy of RM18,000 in monthly RM500 instalments.

"Demolitions and terming them (the residents) as illegals and offering them the option to purchase low-cost houses are insulting and demeaning.

"They deserve dignity and not mercy," said Waythamoorthy.