71 structures including shops and residences demolished on day 2 of eviction drive in Patharkandi; locals crying helplessly

After 90 structures on day 1 of the eviction drive, the Karimganj District Administration led by the Circle Officer of Pathakandi has continued the drive today. In Ichabeel and Isarpar Mouza, according to the information given by Circle Officer, Arpita Dutta Mazumdar, 71 structures have been demolished today. She said this brings an end to the phase one of the eviction drive.

Like yesterday, today too the victims stood with documents and pleaded for cooperation, but the administration continued the drive in its rampant mode. The excavators were guarded heavily by a heavy deployment of armed security personnel.

As per reports, the drive started at Kotmoni market where around 25 shops were demolished. Then rounds of demolition continued in Tejpur and Patiala areas of Ichabeel GP. This, the administration said is an attempt to make land leased to tea garden encroachment free.

As per locals, the demolition will make more than five thousand residents homeless. Many have sought shelter at the houses of their relatives while some are sleeping at the open. The locals said that they were not served any notices urging to vacate, however, the mentioned that there were announcements in the area.

Several calls to the deputy commissioner of Karimganj, Mridul Kumar Yadav remained unanswered. Many among the five thousand plus made homeless are voters and therefore, proven citizens of the country. Is there any rehabilitation plan made by the administration remains unknown. Some locals said that stalls around a mosque were demolished today. They mentioned that the administration stated these are stalls in PWD’s area and so those have been demolished. No clarity on that either.