5,000 residents without water for 50 days amid Bengal’s Jyotinagar eviction row

…comprising over 3000 sq mt. The court issued an eviction order in the same month, but the port officials issued the notice to the residents of the colony in June, asking them to vacate the area in the next 15 days. “ Meanwhile, local BJP workers also started intimidating by calling us illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and forcing us to leave the colony as soon as possible ,” said another resident, Alamgir Biswas. On August 19, the residents filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court seeking relief from the eviction order. The High Court issued an interim stay till Thursday on the…

…entry area of our colony in mid-July. On July 28, their work was over and they left. The next morning, the water supply was stopped in our area. We approached the KMC and the local MLA. But nothing has happened so far. We are probably facing this because of our religious identity. The people in the neighbouring colonies have proper water connections ,” said Nazma Bibi, a resident. Residents are forced to use water from the Ganges for bathing and washing. But the water is turbid and unhygienic with many children developing skin infections. Many of them have been…

…for a response to the matter. However, the locals said he did not pay heed to their problems despite several requests. “A group of women from the colony went to his office to speak to him regarding the issue in August. He said that the ones who didn’t vote for the BJP will not get any facility. Is this how we should be treated? ” said Pinki Bibi, who was one of the residents in the group. Reacting to the development, Trinamool Congress MP Samirul Islam said it is because of the BJP’s divisive politics. It has been nearly two months since their…

…in the group. Reacting to the development, Trinamool Congress MP Samirul Islam said it is because of the BJP’s divisive politics. It has been nearly two months since their water supply connection was disconnected. “ Why? Because those people are from a minority community. The PM always uses the slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Is depriving people of drinking water an example of that? Why is the Bengal government not taking action on this? ” the TMC MP said in a post on X. CPI(M) MP Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya held a protest rally condemning the government. He said that the government is violating people’s fundamental rights. Activists from Association for…

…held a protest rally condemning the government. He said that the government is violating people’s fundamental rights. Activists from Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) also issued a statement. “ Access to clean water is not a privilege or favour extended to any particular community, locality or individual; it is a basic human necessity. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that citizens are not deprived of essential public services and that such issues are addressed promptly, effectively and humanely ,” said secretary Umar Awais. Published - September 19, 2026 01:24 am IST…

…hurry up. Secretary of the local slum development committee Sheikh Moinuddin said, “The residents are mostly Muslims living in shanties. We don’t have taps inside the shanties and depend on the roadside taps for water. On July 29, however, the KMC disconnected the water supply to around six taps in a stretch of 100 metres on Bank Strand Road. ” The colony is primarily inhabited by daily labourers and rag pickers, who claimed to have been living here for the past few decades. Locals said that while names of around 150 residents of the colony were deleted in…

…made party to the proceedings following which the eviction order was passed by the Estate Officer. This violates the principles of natural justice and the fundamental rule of audi alteram partem (hear the other side). The respondents being public authorities cannot arbitrarily deprive the petitioners of such essential civic amenity without authority of law a fair, just and reasonable procedure ,” Advocate representing the colony residents Samim Ahmed said. The Calcutta high court heard the matter on Friday and extended the interim order, directing authorities not to take any coercive steps till September.…