Siliguri, 19th August: The Dabgram-Fulbari and Siliguri Joint Movement Committee staged Uttar Kanya Abhiyan on Wednesday over several demands, including protection of livelihood, housing and children’s rights amid the issue of eviction from railway land.
The protesters first gathered at the ADRM office in NJP in the morning and submitted a memorandum. They later went to New Jalpaiguri Police Station and submitted another memorandum before proceeding towards Uttar Kanya in a rally.
When the rally reached Tin Batti More, a large police contingent stopped the protesters. The administration maintained tight security in the area to control the situation.
Later, a six-member delegation was allowed to proceed to Uttar Kanya. The delegation met representatives of the state administration and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands.
The protesters demanded that families who have been living in the area for several years should not be evicted without proper rehabilitation arrangements. They alleged that the Railways’ eviction drive has left several families facing uncertainty over their homes and livelihoods.
The committee demanded that alternative rehabilitation arrangements be made at the earliest before any eviction is carried out.