REAL-LIFE THRILLER
You may lose interest in Gobindapur Rail Colony saga because it's not going the way you thought. But that's how things work in real life.
As the general election is due early next year, the govt does not dare to evict the 30,000-strong population by force. Instead it decides to play humanitarian by giving them land for building their home. It would be kind of lease though, not ownership, and we don't really know if there is any other rider associated with this charity. It's good anyway.
The High Court also seems lenient. It does not mind that the colony folks have not given any written undertaking, as it ordered, within the given time and actually flouted its order. It now asks the colony people to give it in writing that they agree to the govt's rehabilitation proposal.
So the mood is that of a truce. Bad end for a thriller. But then it was a real-life one, and I can't twist it to my imagination.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Thursday, November 24, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER..
The thriller gets a twist, a bad twist indeed. Just when you're expecting mayhem and gore, the state government dangles a 10-acre plot of land near Nonadanga in South 24-parganas that it has identified for the rehabilitation of the squatters.
Not finalised yet, but in a day or two, the administration is going to say like "Over there now, folks. Leave immediately."
The squatters would be provided land for free, but they have to build their houses all by themselves.
Not too bad by govt's track record of dealing with such "disposable population". The minister says that he wants it to be bloodless eviction.
Well done and said, but can you call it rehabilitation?
And what would this eviction be like in real-time?
Forget that these people - as many as 30,000 - lived in this colony for five decades, no less, and would now have to move over to, and settle in a quite unknown land, far away from their places of livelihood.
The thriller gets a twist, a bad twist indeed. Just when you're expecting mayhem and gore, the state government dangles a 10-acre plot of land near Nonadanga in South 24-parganas that it has identified for the rehabilitation of the squatters.
Not finalised yet, but in a day or two, the administration is going to say like "Over there now, folks. Leave immediately."
The squatters would be provided land for free, but they have to build their houses all by themselves.
Not too bad by govt's track record of dealing with such "disposable population". The minister says that he wants it to be bloodless eviction.
Well done and said, but can you call it rehabilitation?
And what would this eviction be like in real-time?
Forget that these people - as many as 30,000 - lived in this colony for five decades, no less, and would now have to move over to, and settle in a quite unknown land, far away from their places of livelihood.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER..cont
The deadline, Nov 30, is approaching fast, but there is no glimmer of hope for the squatters of Gobindapur Rail Colony.
The state government has not yet been able to find out the land for rehabilitation. One wonders if it's really serious about the rehab. Or is it buying time to distract the squatters before it orders its police to swoop on the colony?
A 30,000 people in a 50-year old settlement now lives with sense of foreboding 24x7. Imagine!
The deadline, Nov 30, is approaching fast, but there is no glimmer of hope for the squatters of Gobindapur Rail Colony.
The state government has not yet been able to find out the land for rehabilitation. One wonders if it's really serious about the rehab. Or is it buying time to distract the squatters before it orders its police to swoop on the colony?
A 30,000 people in a 50-year old settlement now lives with sense of foreboding 24x7. Imagine!
Monday, November 21, 2005
JUDICIARY AND THE POOR
Prasanta Bhushan ,the eminent lawyer and public intellectual, has this to say in an interview published in the Tehelka weekly dated 26/11/05.
"The judiciary is responsive to the middle and upper classes.. There has been a change since the PILs in the late 70s and early 80s when justice Krishna Iyer, Bhagwati, Chinappa Reddy wre there. The wheel has turned a great deal since. Now we don't find great responses especially in the higher courts, for the causes of the poor.
"Take for instance the removal of jhuggies. the court removed jhuggies in Delhi. When we petitioned that most of the land where the poor live will not be needed for any public purpose in the future and according to government's own policy, these colonies should not be regularised and civic amenities like water, sanitation, should be provided, the court didn't respond. That's how it's."
Prasanta Bhushan ,the eminent lawyer and public intellectual, has this to say in an interview published in the Tehelka weekly dated 26/11/05.
"The judiciary is responsive to the middle and upper classes.. There has been a change since the PILs in the late 70s and early 80s when justice Krishna Iyer, Bhagwati, Chinappa Reddy wre there. The wheel has turned a great deal since. Now we don't find great responses especially in the higher courts, for the causes of the poor.
"Take for instance the removal of jhuggies. the court removed jhuggies in Delhi. When we petitioned that most of the land where the poor live will not be needed for any public purpose in the future and according to government's own policy, these colonies should not be regularised and civic amenities like water, sanitation, should be provided, the court didn't respond. That's how it's."
Saturday, November 19, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER ..cont
Keep your light on at the entrance of your house.
Don't sleep at night.
These are announcenents over the microphone that you hear at different points of the Gobindapur Rail Colony all through the day. Pointer to the fact that the squatters have no faith in the government's promise, and they in fact fear that the police might crack down on them any time now.
Keep your light on at the entrance of your house.
Don't sleep at night.
These are announcenents over the microphone that you hear at different points of the Gobindapur Rail Colony all through the day. Pointer to the fact that the squatters have no faith in the government's promise, and they in fact fear that the police might crack down on them any time now.
Friday, November 18, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER ..Cont
Day 7. The deadline for giving written undertakings expired today. Surprisingly, the police did not get a single undertaking from the squatters during the seven-day period the High Court graced to the Gobindapur Rail Colony people.
Which means the squatters defied the court.
Which means the squatters are uniquely united in thier resolve.
But what next?
Would the state machinery be rolling now on the ground that the squatters did not comply with the High Court order?
There is confusion as well as apprehension.
Now it boils down to people versus powers-that-be.
Face to face. Eye to eye.
A historical moment.
Please wait to see what happens next.
Day 7. The deadline for giving written undertakings expired today. Surprisingly, the police did not get a single undertaking from the squatters during the seven-day period the High Court graced to the Gobindapur Rail Colony people.
Which means the squatters defied the court.
Which means the squatters are uniquely united in thier resolve.
But what next?
Would the state machinery be rolling now on the ground that the squatters did not comply with the High Court order?
There is confusion as well as apprehension.
Now it boils down to people versus powers-that-be.
Face to face. Eye to eye.
A historical moment.
Please wait to see what happens next.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER..cont
Day 6. A bit of anti-climax. The state seems to give in, and agrees to rehabilitate the squatters.
The Indian Express reports: For the squatters at the Gobindapur railway colony near Rabindra Sarovar, the State Government held out a ray of hope today. With 30,000-odd people facing eviction by the end of this month, the State Government has now statred looking for alternative land for their relocation.
This is in sharp contrast to its earlier stand that the State Government cannot provide for the rehabilitation of the squatters.
_________________________
Why is the volte-face? Ashok Bhattacharya, state minister for urban development, says that it's on humanitarian grounds that "we are arranging for their rehabilitation." Ha Ha.
The fact is that the state goes to general election next year, and considers it a bit risky to evict a population forcibly with any repressive measure. Though the leftists today no longer care about this poor mass, they're not too sure that the eviction would not reflect in the election result.
But could there be any design in this volte-face? Is the government playing any tricks with the squatters? A TV news-item says that the squatters are not really amused by the minister's announcement. They view it with suspicion, and demands the promises to be given to them in writing.
Anyway, the suspense still remains.
Day 6. A bit of anti-climax. The state seems to give in, and agrees to rehabilitate the squatters.
The Indian Express reports: For the squatters at the Gobindapur railway colony near Rabindra Sarovar, the State Government held out a ray of hope today. With 30,000-odd people facing eviction by the end of this month, the State Government has now statred looking for alternative land for their relocation.
This is in sharp contrast to its earlier stand that the State Government cannot provide for the rehabilitation of the squatters.
_________________________
Why is the volte-face? Ashok Bhattacharya, state minister for urban development, says that it's on humanitarian grounds that "we are arranging for their rehabilitation." Ha Ha.
The fact is that the state goes to general election next year, and considers it a bit risky to evict a population forcibly with any repressive measure. Though the leftists today no longer care about this poor mass, they're not too sure that the eviction would not reflect in the election result.
But could there be any design in this volte-face? Is the government playing any tricks with the squatters? A TV news-item says that the squatters are not really amused by the minister's announcement. They view it with suspicion, and demands the promises to be given to them in writing.
Anyway, the suspense still remains.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER..cont
Day 5. The squatters of Gobindapur Rail Colony, according to a Times Of India report, have set up "suicide squad" to confront the eviction army. The squad comprises of die-hard, women veterans who have seen and experienced many eviction battles before.
The report also reveals the plan of defence chalked out by the squatters' action committee.
There would be three rings of resistance on the day of eviction. The suicide brigade will form the first ring. Elderly male members and children would get together to set up the second ring. And the third ring would comprise of able-bodied members who would fight the real battle.
_________________________________________________________________--
If you look hard at the plan, it is found wanting. First, the suicide sqad here seems to be an indigenous kind,and can't be likened to a terrorists' outfit in terms of either ruthlessness or sophistication. I have doubt if it can thwart or push back the state forces any way.
Secondly, have the squatters any sophisticated weapons to fight back the state forces?
Of course, it would be an uneven battle, and the result can be foretold. The thing to watch is how the state handles the resistance, the extent of loss and damage of human lives and property, and its repercussion on public life and polity of a so-called democratic country.
Comment on this post..
Day 5. The squatters of Gobindapur Rail Colony, according to a Times Of India report, have set up "suicide squad" to confront the eviction army. The squad comprises of die-hard, women veterans who have seen and experienced many eviction battles before.
The report also reveals the plan of defence chalked out by the squatters' action committee.
There would be three rings of resistance on the day of eviction. The suicide brigade will form the first ring. Elderly male members and children would get together to set up the second ring. And the third ring would comprise of able-bodied members who would fight the real battle.
_________________________________________________________________--
If you look hard at the plan, it is found wanting. First, the suicide sqad here seems to be an indigenous kind,and can't be likened to a terrorists' outfit in terms of either ruthlessness or sophistication. I have doubt if it can thwart or push back the state forces any way.
Secondly, have the squatters any sophisticated weapons to fight back the state forces?
Of course, it would be an uneven battle, and the result can be foretold. The thing to watch is how the state handles the resistance, the extent of loss and damage of human lives and property, and its repercussion on public life and polity of a so-called democratic country.
Comment on this post..
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER/3
Day 4: Protest rally - some 1000 people (mostly children) took part. When intercepted by the police, they sat on the road for sometime and then dispersed.
The protest was free of any violent streak. But the mood at the squatters' colony was of resolute defiance. Not a single person registered with the police, showing his willingness to leave the colony on his own.
Meanwhile, representatives of Kolkata police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Eastern Railway, CESC and Railway go into a huddle to thrash out details of the eviction drive.
---------------------
According to an estimate, the amount of land needed to rehabilitate the 30,000 squatters is only ten acres. While the state government is at the moment busy finding out 500-plus acres of land for the Indonesia-based Salim group of industries, it does not care a bit to offer as little as ten acres for its own people. What a shift in attitude of our Marxist rulers!
MRINAL BOSE
Day 4: Protest rally - some 1000 people (mostly children) took part. When intercepted by the police, they sat on the road for sometime and then dispersed.
The protest was free of any violent streak. But the mood at the squatters' colony was of resolute defiance. Not a single person registered with the police, showing his willingness to leave the colony on his own.
Meanwhile, representatives of Kolkata police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Eastern Railway, CESC and Railway go into a huddle to thrash out details of the eviction drive.
---------------------
According to an estimate, the amount of land needed to rehabilitate the 30,000 squatters is only ten acres. While the state government is at the moment busy finding out 500-plus acres of land for the Indonesia-based Salim group of industries, it does not care a bit to offer as little as ten acres for its own people. What a shift in attitude of our Marxist rulers!
MRINAL BOSE
Monday, November 14, 2005
REAL-LIFE THRILLER (2)
The squatters of Gobindapur Rail Colony stayed mute for one day, perhaps absorbing the shock of the High Court order, and deciding the next course of action.
On day 3, they started dharna in nine places along the tracks between Tollygung and Dhakuria flyover by erecting makeshift stages. They demanded rehabilitation before eviction. They urged the state government to provide them land for a considered price.
"The Central government has several schemes under which residences could be constucted for us. We have urged the state government to provide us land and we would pay the amount for the land within a period of five years, but it has fallen on deaf ears. However, we will fight till the end."
MRINAL BOSE
The squatters of Gobindapur Rail Colony stayed mute for one day, perhaps absorbing the shock of the High Court order, and deciding the next course of action.
On day 3, they started dharna in nine places along the tracks between Tollygung and Dhakuria flyover by erecting makeshift stages. They demanded rehabilitation before eviction. They urged the state government to provide them land for a considered price.
"The Central government has several schemes under which residences could be constucted for us. We have urged the state government to provide us land and we would pay the amount for the land within a period of five years, but it has fallen on deaf ears. However, we will fight till the end."
MRINAL BOSE
Friday, November 11, 2005
A Real-life Thriller
Gobindapur Rail Colony, with its 30,000 population and its ongoing dynamics, could - should - have been a good theme for a novel. If you don't want to write it as a literary fiction (It's not cool in today's market), you can write a thriller out of it.
The colony is dangerously stretched along a rail line. And the people have been living here for about five decades. If you ever board a south suburban train from Sealdah, you cannot miss them doing their daily chores - washing, cooking, eating, shitting, pissing - in the ghastly environs by the railway tracts. Because of the speed of the train, it's not possible to scan the whole scenario, still you feel like puking from your seat. But they look kind of settled in their own ways.
Now they face eviction, thanks to a Kolkata High Court order. They have only two weeks to leave with their belongings. Or their shanties will be demolished by the state machinery.
What's wrong with them? They're polluting the Rabindra Sarobar lake, and its surroundings, according to a PIL lodged with the High Court quite a while ago. The High Court has since then been directing the government to remove the population elsewhere. It being a sensitive issue, the Government was sitting on orders issued at different times. But the High Court now comes up with the final order for the squatters: leave or take the heat.
The order sets off the tension necessary for the thriller. Five top police officers, all ACPs, have now parked themselves in the colony to convince the sqatters to leave the place without any fuss. They're actually registering the names of those willing to leave on their own. Interstingly, not a single man comes up to them for registration. Instead, they're all united, firm in their determination to stick in here come what may, and ready to fight the state with the ordinary weapons they have in their posession. (A TV channel shows the womenfolk of the colony armed with bati, da, khunti, and vowing to fight to the last drop of their blood.)
So, there would be battle and bloodbath. Don't try to read any sub-text here. That would spoil the fun and excitement out of it. Enjoy! I'll be reporting on the run-up to the day of demolition on a regular basis. But are you interested?
MRINAL BOSE
Gobindapur Rail Colony, with its 30,000 population and its ongoing dynamics, could - should - have been a good theme for a novel. If you don't want to write it as a literary fiction (It's not cool in today's market), you can write a thriller out of it.
The colony is dangerously stretched along a rail line. And the people have been living here for about five decades. If you ever board a south suburban train from Sealdah, you cannot miss them doing their daily chores - washing, cooking, eating, shitting, pissing - in the ghastly environs by the railway tracts. Because of the speed of the train, it's not possible to scan the whole scenario, still you feel like puking from your seat. But they look kind of settled in their own ways.
Now they face eviction, thanks to a Kolkata High Court order. They have only two weeks to leave with their belongings. Or their shanties will be demolished by the state machinery.
What's wrong with them? They're polluting the Rabindra Sarobar lake, and its surroundings, according to a PIL lodged with the High Court quite a while ago. The High Court has since then been directing the government to remove the population elsewhere. It being a sensitive issue, the Government was sitting on orders issued at different times. But the High Court now comes up with the final order for the squatters: leave or take the heat.
The order sets off the tension necessary for the thriller. Five top police officers, all ACPs, have now parked themselves in the colony to convince the sqatters to leave the place without any fuss. They're actually registering the names of those willing to leave on their own. Interstingly, not a single man comes up to them for registration. Instead, they're all united, firm in their determination to stick in here come what may, and ready to fight the state with the ordinary weapons they have in their posession. (A TV channel shows the womenfolk of the colony armed with bati, da, khunti, and vowing to fight to the last drop of their blood.)
So, there would be battle and bloodbath. Don't try to read any sub-text here. That would spoil the fun and excitement out of it. Enjoy! I'll be reporting on the run-up to the day of demolition on a regular basis. But are you interested?
MRINAL BOSE
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