Bulldozer Raj: Uttarkhand - Demolition Order in Haldwani that will Render Thousands Homeless

Braving the chilling winter cold, thousands of people, including women, elderly and children are protesting against the eviction drive in Banbhoolpura area in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani. The district administration, along with the railway authorities have given one week notices to more than 4000 households to evict or face demolition.

CPIML Nainital District Secretary Dr. Kailash Pandey said that the eviction drive will render more than 50,000 people homeless overnight. The people have been living in the Banbhoolpura area for decades, some who came there around 50-60 years ago. Most of them have electricity connections, house taxes, Jal Sansthan connections, and other residential credentials.

A CPIML delegation, including senior leader Bahadur Singh Jangi visited the area and interacted with residents. Speaking in solidarity, Comrade Jangi said that the BJP led state government is maintaining a criminal silence over the issue as most of the people in the area are from minority communities. It is using the issue for nefarious communal polarisation agenda. The demolition must immediately be stopped and the state must ensure proper rehabilitation for all.

The land issue had been in courts for around a decade and last month the Uttarakhand HC ordered in favour of the railways. The state government maintained complete silence on the issue. Instead of taking a pro-people stance, the state has deployed several companies of paramilitary forces in preparation for the demolition.

According to reports, the railways in an affidavit stated that total area under encroachment is 29 acres, but now railway authorities had done a demarcation survey for 78 acres for demolition drive.