Tiljala residents seek shelter, say violence against cops no solution

Kolkata: Evicted families of G J Khan Road in Tiljala feel that clashing with or pelting stones at cops to drive away bulldozers to stop demolition is not the way-out, rather they want the administration to help them with a shelter.Two days ago, a protest by locals had forced the pushback of a bulldozer used for demolition of two "illegal" buildings in the area. The bulldozer that remained parked at the site before its exit two days ago sparked tension among locals, who feared that their buildings would be razed one after another.Samma Parvin, whose family was evicted from one of the partially demolished buildings, said, "Shelter is our major concern now. What is the point fighting with the police? I can understand that cops are carrying out the instructions being given to them. On Wednesday night, cops had told us to leave the house to make way for their drive. We vacated the house where demolition work was initiated the next day. We don't want tussle with cops. We want the administration to feel our problems before taking any drastic step."Another evicted family member, Sakila Khatoon, said, "I have told my sons and nephews that fighting with cops will not solve problem. But the administration should have given us time before razing our building. We urge the administration to treat us with sympathy."Dulara was among a few local youths who tried to resist other residents from attacking cops in the area a couple of days ago. "Cops are not doing anything on their own, rather they are executing the order of the administration. So, we are against any tussle with cops but it is through them that we want to take our problems to the administration," he said.The HC on Friday ordered interim stay on demolition of the Tiljala building till June 22 after its owner, 76-year-old Md Nisar Ahmed, moved court claiming no notice was given by the civic body. But, the court directed that no business can be run from the premises till further order. "We are homeless even as there is no fault on our part. We're tenants and the building owner had let out two floors to a leather goods manufacturing unit. We want administration to take action against such illegal running of business in buildings where people live. But why the drive that turned us homeless?" rued a tenant.