Kolkata, June 9 -- Left parties have announced a sustained legal and political campaign against the recent eviction drive carried out near Jadavpur railway station, alleging that the demolition of shops, kiosks and informal settlements was conducted in violation of court directions and without rehabilitation measures.
The demolition operation, undertaken late on Sunday night by Railway authorities with the support of the police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), sparked hours of resistance from Left activists, local residents and hawkers. Several protesters were injured during clashes, while five persons, including SFI state secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya, were arrested and later granted bail by a court on Monday.
The CPI(M) has accused the authorities of acting in haste to prevent opponents from approaching the court when it reopened on Monday. Party leaders claimed that legal documents relating to an earlier High Court order on rehabilitation and eviction procedures had been shown to railway officials during a previous eviction attempt last week.
Following the demolition, Left leaders indicated that the matter would now be pursued both in court and on the streets. Speaking after his arrest, Bhattacharyya said the eviction was unlawful and asserted that the struggle would continue through legal proceedings as well as public mobilisation.
Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty, who was among those injured during the protest, said the party would intensify demonstrations against what he described as an attack on the livelihood and shelter of poor residents and hawkers. He maintained that the resistance would not end with the demolition and called for broader public opposition.
Protests have already begun across several parts of the state. Demonstrations, rallies and sit-ins were organised on Monday demanding justice for those affected, rehabilitation for displaced families and vendors, and accountability for the police action. Left organisations have indicated that further protests and legal challenges are likely in the coming days.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.