Agartala, May 19, 2023, By Our Correspondent
A massive eviction drive conducted by the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) on early Friday morning has sparked controversy and public outcry. Several illegal shops and houses, spanning from Indranagar Kalibari to ITI road, were bulldozed in an attempt to address the ongoing traffic congestion issue in the city. However, the public has alleged the drive to be inhuman, illegal, and motivated, with some claiming that they did not receive any prior notice from the AMC.
Expressing their grievances, residents affected by the eviction drive lamented the lack of communication from the AMC. One woman, whose house was demolished, stated, "We did not receive any notice from the AMC and were not given a chance to reply or take appropriate action. All of a sudden, this morning, they arrived fully prepared, and our house was inhumanly demolished." Another family, whose entire building was bulldozed, pointed fingers at the AMC, stating, "The AMC must have taken bribes and is conducting such inhuman and illogical drives."
Furthermore, some residents claimed that they were not given an opportunity to present their case to the AMC officials. A recent arrival in Agartala stated, "I reached Agartala on May 17 and had no chance to voice my concerns to the AMC. Today, too, the officials refused to listen to me." The sentiment among the affected public is that the eviction drive was carried out without proper consideration for their rights or due process.
In response to the public outcry, the AMC defended its actions, asserting that the eviction drives were not illegal and were a necessary step towards alleviating the prevalent traffic congestion issue plaguing the city. AMC officials cited the urgent need to free the city from everyday traffic woes and maintained that proper procedures were followed during the eviction drive.
While the AMC claims to have acted within the bounds of the law, the controversy surrounding the eviction drive raises questions about the methods employed and the lack of prior notice given to affected residents. The public outcry underscores the importance of maintaining transparency, communication, and due process when carrying out such initiatives.
The AMC now faces mounting pressure to address the grievances of the affected residents and provide clarifications regarding the eviction drive. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how the municipal corporation will respond to the public's concerns and work towards finding a solution that balances the need for urban development with the protection of citizens' rights.