3 weeks ago
Park Circus railway slum families seek time after eviction notices
Many families live in small homes next to the train tracks in a place called Park Circus.
The railway company sent them letters saying they must leave the land.
The families were scared because they had nowhere else to go.
They went to talk to the railway boss on Friday and asked for more time.
They also asked the railway to give them new homes before making them leave.
The railway people said there is no plan to give them new homes.
Families said their children might have to stop going to school if they are forced to move.
Some children have big exams coming up soon.
The families' group says it will ask a court to help them.
Courts have stopped similar evictions in the past.
Around 200 families living along railway tracks in Park Circus received eviction notices from Eastern Railway's Sealdah division earlier this week.
A residents' delegation met the additional divisional railway manager on Friday, requesting more time and adequate rehabilitation before eviction.
The eviction deadline expired on Friday, and a senior railway official said there is "no question of rehabilitation" as it would set an unfeasible precedent.
Residents warned that evictions without rehabilitation would disrupt the education of hundreds of children, including students due to appear for Madhyamik next year.
The Citizens' Resistance Forum plans to move court on behalf of the residents, and the Calcutta High Court has earlier stayed several similar eviction drives.
- Who
- Around 200 families living in slums along railway tracks in Park Circus, a delegation led by hawker leader Santi Ghosh of the Citizens' Resistance Forum, and the Sealdah division of Eastern Railway.
- What
- Eviction notices were served to slum residents, who sought more time and adequate rehabilitation before any eviction drive.
- Where
- Park Circus, along both sides of railway tracks between the platforms and a level crossing, under the Sealdah division of Eastern Railway.
- When
- Notices were served earlier this week, and the deadline expired on Friday, when the deputation met railway officials.
- Why
- The railways plan a comprehensive upgrade of Park Circus station requiring new entry points, while residents fear eviction without rehabilitation would disrupt children's education and leave families homeless.
Slum Residents & Citizens' Resistance Forum
Eastern Railway Officials
Rehabilitation before eviction
Slum Residents & Citizens' Resistance Forum
Residents demand adequate rehabilitation before eviction, citing the call of humanity and their right to existence.
Eastern Railway Officials
Railway officials say there is no question of rehabilitation, as it could set an unfeasible precedent and hamper future eviction drives.
Impact on children's education
Slum Residents & Citizens' Resistance Forum
Evicting families without new homes would disrupt the education of hundreds of children, including students due for Madhyamik next year.
Eastern Railway Officials
Railways stress they are within their rights to remove encroachments and that Park Circus station is in bad shape because of them.
Necessity of the eviction drive
Slum Residents & Citizens' Resistance Forum
The forum argues for protecting residents' existence and plans to challenge the eviction in court over the lack of rehabilitation.
Eastern Railway Officials
Railways say the encroachments block proper entry points needed for a comprehensive upgrade, including a platform shade and new booking office.
Key facts
- Affected families
- Around 200 families living on both sides of the tracks
- Notice-issuing authority
- Sealdah division, Eastern Railway
- Eviction deadline
- Expired on Friday (the day of the deputation)
- Delegation met
- Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Sealdah
- Residents' demand
- More time and adequate rehabilitation before eviction
- Railway's position
- No question of rehabilitation; it could set an unfeasible precedent
- Planned station upgrade
- New entry points, a platform shade and a new booking office at Park Circus
- Prior demolitions
- Howrah, Sealdah, Park Circus, Jadavpur and Dum Dum (mostly stalls and commercial establishments)
- Planned legal action
- Citizens' Resistance Forum to move court; Calcutta High Court has stayed several such operations
Quotes
Senior Railway Official
Railway official stating policy stance on rehabilitation
“We told him the education of hundreds of children would suffer if families were evicted without rehabilitation. They cannot immediately find new homes and secure admission to new schools. Several students are due to appear for Madhyamik next year, while many others have school exams approaching.”
telegraphindia.com
“There is no question of rehabilitation. It could set an unfeasible precedent and hamper future eviction drives.”
telegraphindia.com
Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Sealdah
Railway official handling eviction matters
“Any extension would have to be a policy decision taken at a higher level. He did not promise any breathing space but said he would take the matter to the appropriate authorities.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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