Jadavpur hawker eviction drive sparks chaos: Left leaders detained, protesters injured

Several demonstrators were reportedly injured during the confrontation, which heightened tensions in the area.

The unrest began when authorities launched an eviction operation around the Jadavpur Railway Station premises, with bulldozers demolishing several alleged illegal shops and structures.

Anticipating the drive, local residents, hawkers, and activists from Left parties and the Congress gathered at the site to resist the operation.

A heavy deployment of Kolkata Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, and central security forces was made in and around the station area from Sunday evening before the demolition drive commenced.

Protesters attempted to halt the operation by lying in front of bulldozers and climbing onto the machines. Demonstrators alleged that police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

Left leaders Srijan Bhattacharyya and Ushasi Chakraborty, along with Congress leader Sourav Prasad, were present during the protest.

Commenting on the developments, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] alleged that hundreds of party workers, Left Front activists, and hawkers united in resistance against what it described as a bulldozer-driven eviction without rehabilitation.

The party claimed that state police and central security forces carried out a "brutal" lathi-charge on protesters. It further alleged that senior CPI(M) leader and Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty was assaulted and sustained injuries during the protest.

According to the CPI(M), five party members were arrested, while several others suffered injuries in the police action.

"Several other comrades were injured in the lathi-charge. Fearless women, including AIDWA State Secretary Monalisa, stopped the bulldozer in its tracks. The struggle against anti-people evictions and repression continues," the party said in a post on X.

Reacting to the incident, Ushasi Chakraborty wrote on Facebook: "To those desiring roads as sleek as those abroad: I hope you will also demand the same standards regarding human rights, the protection of fundamental rights, and healthcare and education systems found in those countries. The government can certainly relocate hawkers, but only by arranging alternative livelihoods and spaces—that was the only demand."

The Jadavpur Station area had remained tense earlier this week amid fears of a similar eviction drive. However, no demolition was carried out on that occasion following protests by Left activists.

The latest operation is part of a broader campaign by railway authorities to remove alleged encroachments around major railway stations, including Howrah and Sealdah.

In recent months, a large number of illegal structures and roadside stalls have been cleared from areas surrounding these stations as part of the ongoing drive.