A large-scale eviction drive was carried out at Dum Dum railway station on Saturday night as railway authorities demolished several shops and stalls allegedly operating illegally on railway land.
The action came after notices had been served to encroachers asking them to vacate the premises. According to railway sources, the notices failed to bring any significant response, prompting authorities to launch the demolition drive inside and outside the station area.
Railway officials said the operation was undertaken to improve passenger movement and ease congestion around one of Kolkata's busiest railway hubs. However, no formal statement was issued by the administration regarding the drive.
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Heavy security deployment during midnight operation
Eyewitnesses and commuters said a massive security presence was seen at the station late at night when footfall in the area had reduced considerably.
Personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), railway police and central security forces were deployed across the station premises. Before the demolition began, announcements were made through loudspeakers instructing those occupying railway land illegally to remove their stalls, carts and kiosks.
Officials reportedly allowed time for the occupants to clear the structures themselves. However, when no action was taken, demolition machinery was brought in.
Bulldozers then moved through the station area, pulling down stalls, kiosks and other structures identified as illegal encroachments. The entire operation was conducted under tight security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.
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CPI(M) leaders reach spot, demand rehabilitation for hawkers
As news of the eviction spread, CPI(M) leaders and members of affiliated organisations reached the station premises.
Among those present were CITU leader Gargi Chattopadhyay and former MP Tarit Topdar. Raising concerns over the future of affected hawkers, Chattopadhyay demanded rehabilitation before any eviction process.
"We will not accept eviction without rehabilitation of the hawkers. They will have to run the bulldozer over my chest first," she said.
Despite the protests, railway authorities maintained that illegal occupation of railway land would not be tolerated. Officials also indicated that similar anti-encroachment drives would continue in the future.
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Eviction drive comes a day after hawker's suicide attempt
The demolition operation took place a day after a woman hawker allegedly attempted suicide following the issuance of eviction notices.
On Friday morning, as a train was entering Dum Dum station, the woman reportedly jumped onto the railway tracks, triggering panic among passengers on the platform.
She was rescued by fellow women hawkers and commuters who climbed onto the tracks and brought her to safety before any major mishap could occur.
The incident had drawn attention to the growing concerns among hawkers facing eviction from the station premises.
