Tripura: Tripura’s Leader of Opposition (LoP), Jitendra Chowdhury, on November 18, called on Chief Minister Manik Saha to immediately halt the ongoing demolition drive targeting “illegal occupants” in the Golchakkar area of West Tripura district.
The demolition, carried out by the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) in collaboration with local authorities, resulted in the destruction of around 100 houses on November 14. These dwellings, built on government land, were razed to make way for a new national highway.
Chowdhury, after visiting the affected area, condemned the demolition as “unjustified, cruel, and inhuman.” In a letter to the Chief Minister, he highlighted the severe impact on the displaced families, many of whom had lived in the area for over seventy years. The residents were left homeless, with no shelter after the bulldozers moved through their homes.
“I have met the affected people who handed over a memorandum to me, urging for alternative arrangements and compensation. They also strongly demanded the immediate cessation of the demolition drive,” Chowdhury stated. He urged the Chief Minister to ensure immediate shelter for the evicted families and to take steps for their livelihood.
Chowdhury further stressed the urgency of finding an alternative arrangement before any further demolition actions are carried out, as the affected families were left without a place to live after the bulldozer operation.
In response, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder defended the drive, stating that notices had been served to the occupants multiple times before the demolition. Majumder explained that compensation had already been provided to families whose houses were located on private land, and humanitarian compensation had been given to those occupying government land. For those without proper documentation, he assured that compensation would be arranged soon, and accused the CPI(M) of politicizing the issue.
The standoff highlights the growing tension between the ruling government and opposition parties, as the issue of displacement continues to stir significant public debate.