The West Bengal government is going on a demolition drive against illegal constructions across Kolkata, sparking protests from affected citizens. While many of the demolished structures were occupied by residents, several buildings that were still under construction have also been razed. Buildings have been demolished in Kolkata's Tiljala, Kasba and Beliaghata areas over the past two weeks, including six demolition drives carried out on Sunday. Several structures, including some five-storey buildings, were reduced to rubble by bulldozers.
“I bought a house for Rs 25lakh and was given no property papers, but just a receipt,” said Babu Mondol from Beliaghata, where angry residents protested against local strongman and promoter Raju Naskar. His close aide was heckled by locals in the area on Monday after residents were shocked by illegal construction notices by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
There are many more buildings on the radar for which KMC is preparing a list. In some cases, residents have received receipts for properties but no proper papers to establish that they are the rightful owners.
“There are many (buildings), we are preparing a database. We have given notices before, too. Some are entangled in court cases. We also get court orders, which we need to implement. When we implement them, there are obstacles. But wherever we don’t have any hurdles, we are clearing those,” said Smita Pandey, KMC Commissioner.
Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul asserted that the law will take its course if the government land has been encroached upon.
"We will not do anything above the law. We will try to relocate people. But the encroachment of private land — carried on for 15 years and even 34 years before that — for vote-bank politics and under-the-table cash dealings will not happen under our government," she said.
Paul, who was present on Sunday at the site of the demolition drive, referred to the chief minister’s assurance that no one’s livelihood would be affected. "We will try for an alternative. The rules have been made for the public. No road, footpath or land will be used for a party office, house or bathroom,” she said.
Those who are under the scanner are promoters seen close to the former Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and land sharks like Sona Pappu alias Biswajit Poddar, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate(ED) earlier this month. Businessman Joy Kamadar and police officer Shantanu Sinha were also arrested by the ED for their alleged involvement in Pappu's dealings. The government has said that those involved in illegal constructions without sanctioned building plans will be held accountable.
The demolition of buildings and the eviction of hawkers from footpaths have triggered strong protests by the TMC, which termed the new regime as a 'bulldozer government'. Hawkers have been evicted from outside the Howrah and Sealdah railway stations, as well as from several other parts of the city.
“Bulldozer politics against hawkers, traders and low-income groups is unacceptable without notice, discussion, rehabilitation or alternative arrangements. Hawkers are part of Bengal’s long-standing urban ecosystem, and many entered this profession out of economic necessity. If restructuring or eviction is required, it should be implemented with humanity, planning and compassion rather than force,” said TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh.
Hawkers tried to protest, but due to heavy police deployment, there was nothing they could do while their shops were torn down. They alleged that no notice was issued to them in advance. Railway authorities, however, said notices had been served.
On Friday, the Calcutta High Court issued an interim stay on the eviction drive outside Howrah station, stating that hawkers have a right to present their cases. The interim stay is in effect until June 10, when the court will hear the case again. However, this does not pertain to hawker eviction drives outside other railway stations.
What this means for the BJP is that, while it may help build voter confidence and signal a strong stance on cleaning up the city, many of those affected include migrant labourers who have also supported the party. BJP says they will rehabilitate hawkers and those who have lost their homes after the demolition of illegal constructions. The government, however, is yet to come up with a concrete rehabilitation proposal.
