Jalandhar Eviction Drive Triggers Dramatic Protest as Residents Scale Water Tank
In a tense escalation of the long-standing Latifpura land dispute, protesters on Tuesday afternoon climbed a water tank in Jalandhar's Boota Mandi, raising slogans against the Punjab government. This dramatic act came in response to a major eviction drive conducted by the district administration, which removed illegal encroachments following a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Eviction Operation and Health Scare
The police operation in Latifpura began around 4:30 AM, with authorities dismantling tents and removing occupants from the site. The operation continued for several hours, after which police took control of the approximately 1.5-acre land and declared it vacated. During the protest, the situation turned alarming when a woman, affected by the heat, felt dizzy atop the nearly 150-foot-high water tank. Other women present managed to hold her and lay her down, preventing a possible fall.
These protesters have been living in makeshift tents for the past three years following the demolition of their houses. The eviction drive comes just a day before a scheduled High Court hearing on the Latifpura land dispute, where the Jalandhar Improvement Trust is required to submit its response regarding the status of land possession.
Historical Context and Previous Evictions
The Latifpura land dispute has deep roots, originating in the mid-1970s. In 1975-76, the Jalandhar Improvement Trust acquired nearly 110 acres of land to develop the Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar housing colony. The issue resurfaced decades later in 2006 when GTB Nagar residents approached the High Court, alleging that encroachments were blocking a proposed 120-foot-wide road through the area.
In 2012, the High Court ordered the removal of these encroachments. Affected residents challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, but their special leave petition was dismissed, clearing the way for enforcement. Around 50-60 families had already been evicted from the same site in 2022, and since then, about 15 displaced residents had been living on the land in tents.
On December 9, 2022, the Jalandhar Improvement Trust carried out a similar high-intensity operation, demolishing around 50 houses in compliance with High Court directions and submitting a status report on the action.
Legal and Political Developments
In 2014, GTB Nagar residents submitted formal objections before a sub-committee constituted under High Court directions, seeking a review of the ground situation and their claims. However, legal proceedings continued over the years. During the tenures of former mayors of the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, several eviction attempts were launched but were withdrawn due to intense public opposition.
The Model Town Joint Action Committee filed a civil writ petition, demanding the reopening of the 120-foot-wide road blocked by tents. In 2025, the High Court directed authorities to remove remaining debris and temporary tents within 30 days, further intensifying the dispute.
Resident Perspectives and Offers
Many families say they invested their lifetime savings to build homes on the land and are now fighting the case in court. Several Latifpura residents had migrated from Pakistan after partition and were living here. The Jalandhar Improvement Trust has offered Marla flats and small plots as alternatives, but no one was ready to move in due to the dilapidated condition of the flats.
For several days, Latifpura had turned into a hub of political activity, with numerous political leaders and social organizations visiting the site to express support for the residents, highlighting the ongoing tension and community impact of this eviction drive.
