On September 5, within a single day, the Kandla port (also known as Deendayal port) administration has removed 50-year-old huts and makeshifts in Kutch’s Kandla Port area in Gujrat. The area declared as notified area of Kandla Port Trust’s land. The bulldozed huts and makeshifts were built by fishermen and were used to carry out fishing activities. The majority of the people living there belong to the Muslim community. Due to the demolition drive in this area, many have been rendered homeless in severe weather condition.
The mega demolition drive started on Thursday morning with the help of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 550 Police personnel in the presence of port chairman Sushil Kumar Singh along with Kutch East SP Sagar Bagmar.
A few hundred fishermen have been living there and carrying out their operations from these temporary homes, said local sources. They added, “The livelihood of these fishermen is at stake. They will lose their source of income.”
Authority said national threat and security reason for demolition
Briefing the press about the demolition drive, Superintendent of Police (Kutch East), Sagar Bagmar said, “There were illegal encroachments on the Kandla Port land, which could pose a threat for domestic as well as national security. Considering this threat, illegal encroachments were removed from the Port Trust land.”
Demolition Drive unjust and inhumane
State Congress leader Haji Juma Raima termed the demolition drive by the Port Authority as unjust and a violation of human rights. Stating that this operation has displaced thousands of people without making alternative arrangements was unjust. He also cited the Gujarat government’s earlier promise that if they have to be removed, alternative arrangement should be made for their accommodation.
There is no information available on whether any alternative accommodation has been provided to the homeless and affected families.
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