Nearly 200 Hooghly families face eviction by June 3; MLA Tapan Dasgupta vows to resist forced demolition

Tension is rising in Avani Palli, Ward 5 of Bansberia Municipality in Hooghly district, where around 200 families have received eviction notices from the Railways. These families have been residing in the area for the past 40 to 50 years. The notice requires residents to vacate the land by June 3, failing which the Railways have warned of possible action. The affected population largely consists of daily wage earners who claim they do not own any other land or have the financial capacity to purchase property elsewhere.

On June 1, Saptagram MLA Tapan Dasgupta, accompanied by Ward Councillor Sharmila Majumdar and local Trinamool Congress leaders, visited the area to meet the residents. Addressing the crowd, Dasgupta stated, "Railways can’t just demolish homes without dialogue. Give people land first. If police come with lathis, we’ll stand with sticks too. I will be present here on the 3rd." No official statement has been issued by the Railways or local administration regarding alternative arrangements or rehabilitation measures for the displaced families.

Residents of Avani Palli have expressed their inability to relocate due to the lack of land and financial resources. The eviction notice has created widespread concern among the community, which is now awaiting further communication from the authorities. There have been no formal negotiations or plans disclosed publicly to address the situation as of now.