Dharmanagar:The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) organised a protest demonstration and mass deputation in Dharmanagar on Monday against the eviction of hawkers and small traders from railway station areas in Sealdah, Dum Dum, and Jadavpur without proper rehabilitation. The protest was part of a nationwide agitation called by CITU’s central committee.
Around noon, CITU workers and supporters assembled in front of the CPIM Dharmanagar Sub-Divisional Office before taking out a rally through various parts of the town, culminating at Dharmanagar Railway Station. A delegation subsequently submitted a memorandum to the Station Manager, demanding an immediate halt to eviction drives, release of those arrested, and implementation of a concrete rehabilitation plan for affected traders.
Speakers alleged that hawkers who have earned their livelihoods in railway station areas for years are being displaced without alternative arrangements, pushing many families into financial hardship. They condemned the evictions as contrary to humanitarian values and detrimental to working-class interests.
Among those present were CPI(M) State Secretariat member Amitabh Dutta, North District Secretary Abhijit Dey, and Sub-Divisional Secretary Ratan Roy.
CITU warned of a larger mass movement if demands are not addressed promptly.