Kolkata, June 16: Tensions escalated at Habra Railway Station in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Early Tuesday, railway officials launched a significant anti-encroachment operation to remove allegedly illegal shops and structures from railway land and the station premises, prompting protests from local vendors and hawkers.
According to police reports, shop owners on railway land were issued notices earlier this month, instructing them to vacate the premises by June 15. Many failed to comply, leading railway authorities to initiate demolition efforts.
To prevent any untoward incidents, central security forces were deployed at the station around 1 AM on Tuesday. The operation was supported by the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and state police to maintain law and order. Announcements were made via loudspeakers to inform residents and shopkeepers about the ongoing action.
As the demolition began, numerous hawkers and traders gathered to protest against the evictions. Railway officials stated that notices had been issued and that encroachers were given ample time to voluntarily remove their shops. After the deadline passed, authorities commenced the eviction process.
In addition to temporary stalls, several permanent structures allegedly built on railway land were also demolished. Local sources claimed that a Communist Party of India (Marxist) office located on the encroached land was among the structures removed during the operation. Leftist activists staged protests within the station premises. Reports indicate that when asked to vacate the area, protesters engaged in heated discussions with police, though no major incidents were reported.
Habra is one of the busiest railway stations in North 24 Parganas, with thousands of passengers commuting daily. In recent years, encroachments and unauthorized shops around the station have increased, causing overcrowding and inconvenience for travelers, particularly during peak office hours. Many daily commuters have long demanded the clearing of the area.
This operation at Habra is part of a broader initiative by the railway authorities to remove encroachments from station premises and railway land across the state. Similar operations have previously taken place at Howrah, Sealdah, Jadavpur, and Dum Dum stations.
Some shopkeepers questioned the legitimacy of the demolition campaign, alleging that their livelihoods were being stripped away without any rehabilitation measures. Hawker organizations also protested in various locations, demanding protection for their businesses and income.
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S.C.H/A.S
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