Despite only being halfway through the second month of the year, evictions and demolition drives across the country are becoming more prevalent. It is no longer about whether the state is governed by the ruling party or not. These demolition drives are aimed at not just religious minorities but also the poor and marginalised who have probably been living on these lands for decades.
The courts have also seen these cases from a humanitarian angle and stressed upon the need for rehabilitation of those displaced instead of merely labeling them as “encroachers”. As evidenced by the following recent incidents, the state and administration have failed to do so.
The most unfortunate of these recent incidents was the one from Kanpur Dehat where a mother and daughter were burnt alive as they were inside their hutment when the bulldozer came for them. While the police at first claimed that they set themselves on fire, eventually a case of murder was registered against the SDM and others.
In Assam’s Sonitpur, 2,500 Bengali Muslim families were rendered homeless as a demolition drive was conducted, displacing these families for their lands where they were cultivators.
In UP’s Ghaziabad, in Sahibabad people’s homes were being demolished, allegedly without any notice. In a video posted on social media, a woman can be seen pleading to the police and other people present, to not go ahead but she was being dragged.
This is from #Sahibabad, #Ghaziabad, #UttarPradesh.
People’s Houses are being Demolished here without giving any Notice. When a young Man Raised his Voice regarding the notice, he was taken to the Police Station and Beaten up.#ViralVideo #UPPolice #UPModel pic.twitter.com/nm4hNDJTDX
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 7, 2023
In Jammu & Kashmir, the spate evictions and demolitions began in January after the UT administration issued an order dated January 9 directing all local administrative officials to remove “encroachment” on State Land, including Roshni and Kahcharai
At one such demolition drive in Srinagar, locals were seen in a video claiming that no notice was issued to them and that they have genuine documents pertaining to the land.
This is from #Srinagar, #JammuAndKashmir.
Locals alleged authorities of demolishing their homes despite having genuine documents & without any notice.
Such demolitions are being carried throughout the state.
Rights defenders have called it a policy of #Kashmiri dispossession. pic.twitter.com/1nDJn1rSAB
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 5, 2023
A visibly agitated Hindu priest in Jammu was seen on video protesting the eviction drives. He said, the Muslim rulers didn’t harm us. BJP is bulldozing out homes”
Muslims were better rulers, they didn’t harm us. BJP is bulldozing our homes, properties.
– A #Hindu priest in #Jammu over eviction drive.#JammuAndKashmir #BJPGovt #Bulldozer #BulldozerAction pic.twitter.com/ivZ1Hd4YPL
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 17, 2023
in Patna, Bihar, two shopkeepers immolated themselves while protesting their forcible evictions by the Railway Police
The shopkeepers became agitated over the forcible eviction of the shops by the Railway Police!
Two shopkeepers set themselves on fire!#Bulldozer #BulldozerAction pic.twitter.com/0WWkF6Ahwm
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 16, 2023
In Madhya Pradesh’s Bhaukhedi about 180 homes were demolished and among those demolished were homes built under the Central housing scheme called PM Awas Yojana.
More than 180 homes including #PMAawas demolished in #MadhyaPradesh’s #Bhaukhedi; no compensation offered!#BJPGovt #Bulldozer #BulldozerAction pic.twitter.com/4Cs5DbyTwH
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 17, 2023
In Hyderabad, Telangana, around 150 houses were demolished and the occupants have claimed that no notice was given to them.
As many as 150 houses in the area are being demolished and the people are expressing concern that they have not been serves any prior notices.#Telangana #Hyderabad #Bulldozer #BulldozerAction pic.twitter.com/NKqgjcXpMn
— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 17, 2023
related:
Bombay HC seeks policy on old settlements for protected monuments; stays evictions at Vishalgarh
MP: In CM’s Home District, Bulldozers Reduce 20 Homes Built Under PMAY to Rubble
Shutdown Observed in Parts of Kashmir Against Ongoing ‘Eviction’ Drive