ROURKELA: Aggressive posturing of the South Eastern Railway (SER) to remove mass encroachment from its Bondamunda colony and adjacent land has created panic among the illegal residents with political parties, especially the ruling BJP, voicing strong resistance.
Amid the continuing demand for rehabilitation before eviction, the SER in the past 15 days has been serving notices to the unauthorised occupants. Those facing demolition threat are reportedly rushing to local political leaders for respite.
Sources said the railway notices are targeting scattered illegal residential structures constructed in Sectors A, B and C, slums near D and K Cabin areas besides Bogdabasti and Churibasti. The local SER authorities are visiting these localities and serving spot notices after inquiring about the unauthorised residents.
The estate officer of Chakradharpur Division of SER has also registered several eviction cases and summoned the illegal residents to appear at his office in Jharkhand, around 100 km from Rourkela. Cases have been registered under sub-section (I) and clause (b) (ii) of section 4 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
With the SER authorities appearing unapologetic about the eviction drive and entertaining no request, the unauthorised residents are both panicked and worried about their future. Many of them were summoned to appear before the estate officer at Chakradharpur in Jharkhand on Monday.
Amid the prevailing situation, former union minister and senior BJP leader Dilip Ray recently met the affected persons and assured them of his support. Ray has a known stance of not allowing any eviction before rehabilitation.
A short video circulated by his supporters showed the BJP leader asking some local SER authority over phone not to hastily take up any demolition drive. When his request was turned down, a visibly upset Ray was seen daring the SER official to go ahead with the demolition by saying he would be there to physically resist.
Ray has reportedly talked to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the matter and urged him to take a humanitarian view of the situation.
Sources said at least 50 structures have been identified for demolition within SER’s railway colony at Bondamunda comprising several sectors. Separately, the slum areas comprise about 2,000 families, most being poor.
Rourkela-based area manager of SER Sourav Sameer said the SER is seeking to take back its land from illegal occupation as per law. Pointing out that some persons have illegally built two and three-storey buildings, he said, “SER needs land for development projects. On humanitarian ground, we have provided enough time to the encroachers.”
Drive against encroachment
Notices served to illegal residential structures constructed in Sectors A, B and C, slums near D and K Cabin areas besides Bogdabasti and Churibasti
50 structures identified for demolition within SER’s railway colony at Bondamunda
The slum areas comprise about 2,000 families, most being poor
Estate officer of SER’s Chakradharpur Division has registered several eviction cases and summoned the illegal residents