Tangra residents protest demolition of leaning building, delay operations amid police clashes

On Thursday, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) started the demolition of a leaning multi-story building on Christopher Road in Tangra, which had been deemed unsafe by authorities. The building’s structural instability had raised serious concerns about its safety, prompting KMC to take action. Despite the urgency, residents strongly opposed the demolition, with many expressing fear that they would be left without any shelter. They argued that no alternative housing had been provided, and some even questioned where they would go if the building was demolished.

The protest, which began with the women of the affected households, quickly grew as other neighbors joined in. The residents made it clear that they would not vacate the premises unless given proper relocation options. In response to the escalating situation, the KMC sought assistance from local police, sending officers from the Tangra Police Station to manage the crowd and maintain order. However, some residents accused the police of treating them disrespectfully during the operation, although these allegations have been denied by both the police and municipal officials.

As a result of the protests, the demolition work was delayed significantly, with the operation unable to proceed past noon. KMC had planned to carry out the demolition to prevent any further risk to public safety. The municipal authorities have yet to release a revised timeline for the completion of the demolition, but the building remains in a dangerous state, and authorities have reiterated the need to dismantle it for public safety.