Eviction at Bankipore Club
The community that has been residing in the area is adjacent to the Patna Collectorate. It is true that the community has been coming from different districts of Bihar and due to livelihood they fled to the capital of Bihar and have found means of livelihood. Unfortunately, though their names have been enrolled in the PMAY scheme, they have always been hounded as if they are militants. Their goods are destroyed and confiscated and often they try to resist and are inhumanly lathi charged. We have been trying to advocate for housing for them.
This time it was a rainy day, then came the bulldozer and the magistrate to conduct the demolition. Some of the women picked up courage and resisted and saved some of their goods. An elderly woman was beaten up and all her goods confiscated, they did not even spare the elderly.
The next day they came again, as in the night they once again tied their plastic sheets and slept. When our entire team went to the spot, began to interact with the Magistrate, they threatened to file an FIR. While they sat with the people preparing a letter for the District Magistrate, the police jeep arrived and tried to arrest one of our team members. However, the community resisted and told the Magistrate that this was not appropriate and because of numbers, they were unable to succeed. It was a long battle, yet it is so pathetic the manner in which these operations are being undertaken. In spite of all this the community remains there as they have no other place to go. Somehow the administration and its government are unable to understand the plight of the poor.