Labour Groups Call Kolkata Evictions a Threat to Livelihoods

Last Updated on June 13, 2026 6:03 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS

Workers’ Groups Demand Housing and Livelihood Guarantees Before Relocation

Staff Reporter

Labour and urban rights organisations have strongly criticised recent demolition drives across Kolkata, alleging that the actions have disproportionately affected hawkers, street vendors, small traders and slum residents while raising concerns over due process and rehabilitation.

The All India Workers Forum and the National Forum of Urban Struggles of NAPM said the demolitions carried out in areas including Sealdah, Howrah, Dum Dum and Jadavpur have led to the destruction of homes and livelihoods built over decades by working-class communities.

According to the organisations, redevelopment and beautification projects are being implemented without adequate consultation, notice or rehabilitation arrangements for affected residents and informal workers.

The groups referred to demolition actions near railway premises and public spaces in recent weeks, stating that structures including kiosks and small commercial units were removed during late-night operations. They alleged that at Jadavpur, peaceful protests involving hawkers, students and trade union members were met with police action, including lathi-charges and detentions.

A key concern raised by the organisations is the absence of alternative livelihood and housing arrangements before eviction measures are carried out. They argued that redevelopment should not proceed at the cost of displacement and demanded that rehabilitation precede any eviction process.

The organisations also linked the developments in Kolkata to what they described as a broader national trend of using demolition drives as instruments of governance, claiming such actions increasingly impact informal workers and economically vulnerable communities.

Citing judicial observations, the groups pointed to the Supreme Court’s November 2024 guidelines on demolitions, which require advance notice and procedural safeguards. They alleged that recent demolition actions violated these standards and called for strict adherence to legal requirements.

Among their principal demands, the organisations called for an immediate halt to all coercive evictions and demolition drives affecting hawkers, vendors, slum dwellers and informal workers in West Bengal and elsewhere.

They further demanded guaranteed alternative housing and livelihood opportunities before displacement, public disclosure of redevelopment plans, and structured consultations with hawkers’ bodies, trade unions and affected communities, including women.

The groups also sought an independent inquiry into allegations of force, detentions and police action during recent protests and urged authorities to formally recognise the contribution of informal workers to Kolkata’s economy and urban life.

The organisations maintained that urban development should protect livelihoods and constitutional rights rather than deepen economic vulnerability.

NAPM demands:

1.      An immediate halt to all coercive evictions and demolition drives affecting hawkers, vendors, slum dwellers, informal workers in Kolkata and elsewhere.

2.      No family should lose their home or livelihood until the government guarantees them a real and improved alternative housing and livelihood in the vicinity.

3.      Full public disclosure of all redevelopment and eviction plans for railway stations and public spaces.

4.      Genuine consultation with hawkers’ organisations, trade unions and affected communities, including women, before any eviction.

5.      Strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s November 2024 pan-India guidelines on demolitions, including the mandatory 15-day notice period.

6.      An independent inquiry into the use of force, lathi-charges and unlawful detentions at recent protests in Kolkata.

7.      Recognition of the indispensable role of informal workers in Kolkata’s economy and daily life.

Table 1: Consolidated List of Rights Violations in Kolkata – by Incident