Baby Chakraborty, December 18, 2024, Shalbani:
Panic has struck Kamala village, located in the Bankibandh Panchayat of Shalbani block, Paschim Medinipur (West Midnapore) district, following an eviction notice issued by the Union Ministry of Defense. The notice, demanding that the villagers vacate the area within 15 days, has left approximately 300 families in a state of shock and uncertainty, fearing the loss of their homes and land.The village, built during the British era, has a rich historical background. In 1940, during World War II, the British government established an airport in Kamala as part of the war effort. Villagers were temporarily displaced for security reasons, but they returned to their homes after the war ended. Following independence, the area saw the development of various government and private institutions, including a mint and a training center for the Cobra force, which was set up in the area that once housed the British airport.
The Ministry of Defense first issued an eviction notice in 2022, prompting the villagers to present their documentation and inform the ministry of their longstanding residence in the area. However, no resolution was reached. Now, with the issuance of another eviction notice, tensions have escalated, and the villagers are deeply distressed by the prospect of losing their land, which they have inhabited for generations.
One villager, visibly distressed, expressed his frustration: “We have lived here for five generations. To suddenly be told to leave is not just unfair—it’s impossible to accept without proper rehabilitation.”
In response to the situation, Madhumita Mukherjee, the Sub-Divisional Administrator of Midnapore Sadar, stated, “We have not received any official communication regarding the notice as of yet. The matter will be investigated, and the necessary documents will be verified. If eviction is indeed necessary, the issue of rehabilitation will be taken into serious consideration.”
The situation has sparked political controversy. Opposition parties have accused the central government of showing a lack of humanity in the handling of the eviction process. Meanwhile, the ruling party has appealed to the Ministry of Defense to reconsider its decision, urging them to take into account the humanitarian impact on the affected families.
As the villagers await a response, the fear of being displaced continues to overshadow their lives. Their only hope now rests on the intervention of both the government and the administration, to ensure that their rights are protected and that any move to evict them is accompanied by adequate rehabilitation measures. The uncertainty surrounding their future has left these families in a state of constant anxiety, with no clear resolution in sight.