Jalandhar Eviction Sparks Dramatic Water Tank Protest by Displaced Families
In the early hours of Tuesday, a tense situation unfolded in Jalandhar as authorities evicted several families from Latifpura who had been living in tents since their houses were demolished by the Jalandhar Improvement Trust on December 9, 2022. The eviction led to a dramatic protest, with nine women and three men climbing atop a water tank in the Punjabi Mandi Board complex, drawing support from various farm groups and Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) functionaries. Some protestors were seen holding bottles of petrol, escalating the scene.
Families Describe Forced Eviction and Loss of Belongings
Meena, one of the affected residents, recounted the eviction process. "When they came with a lot of strength, we started picking up our articles, but the government officials said that they would get these picked up themselves. We gave in," she said, sitting at the protest site in solidarity with those on the water tank. Her husband, Narinder Kumar, works as an e-rickshaw driver, and the family had been residing in a tent since the demolition.
Another woman, Paramjit Kaur, shared that her family also lived in a tent, and her sister-in-law, Rajwinder Kaur, was among the protestors on the water tank. She highlighted the historical context, noting that her in-laws' family settled in the area after migrating from West Punjab during Partition, adding emotional weight to their displacement.
Official Response Cites Court Orders and Relocation Efforts
Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal explained that the eviction was carried out under orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to clear the site. In a multi-department operation, seven families living in tents were removed, and the passage was cleared. "They all were shifted to the flats at Bibi Bhani Complex, and they were satisfied with the new place," he stated. However, he added that later, family members who had been living elsewhere since the demolition over three years ago climbed the water tank, prompting ongoing negotiations to resolve the issue based on individual claims and evidence.
Broader Implications and Community Support
The protest has drawn attention to the plight of displaced families in urban areas, with farm groups and political figures rallying behind them. The incident underscores the challenges in balancing development projects with housing rights, especially for long-term residents with deep-rooted connections to their land. As negotiations continue, the situation remains volatile, highlighting the need for transparent and compassionate governance in such sensitive matters.
