The West Bengal administration’s drive against encroachment on government land, taken up aggressively in the past 72 hours, has now been put hold for a month, based on the directions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and CM Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee has given a month for proper review and mapping for the drive, which mostly impacted hawkers.
Banerjee had conducted meeting on Monday with municipality chiefs and administration, criticizing them for not acting on the issue. After her strict stand, bulldozers were used to raze the structures.
The drive has also brought along politics. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendhu Adhikary said, “If this type of encroachment drive is continued without notice, then people will protest and the BJP will be with people.”
Taking note of the hawkers’ association’s objection that their livelihood is being affected, Banerjee met them on Thursday. “My target is not driving out hawkers. I stayed with hawkers when CPM was driving them out. If any leader police helps people to sit on government land and footpaths, we will arrest all of them,” she said.
The CM has clearly stated that there will be a survey and hawkers will also restrict themselves in this one month.
THE MOTIVE
Although the TMC did well in the Lok Sabha polls, insiders say, in urban areas, the TMC did not do as well as expected. In further analysis, it was seen that encroachment in urban areas created irritation for urban population.
Another section said that outsiders have established themselves here through encroachment.
Experts say this is the reason behind Banerjee’s strict message to her party leaders and administration. Banerjee has also been talking about ‘Bengali Asmita’ while taking action.
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