In the midst of the monsoon, the DVC launched a bulldozer campaign on the left bank, demolishing the paths of 110 houses; hundreds of families are affected

Own correspondent, Nirbhik Bengali: During the rainy season, another rescue operation was launched under the name of Damodar Valley Corporation (DBC). After the deadline of one month was over, the work of demolishing the houses in the Left Bank area started again under tight security by bringing two bulldozers. Due to this campaign the entire area has become practically depopulated. Hundreds of families have lost the roof over their heads and are in extreme uncertainty. According to administration sources, on June 15, in the first phase of demolition drive in the Left Bank area, five houses were demolished. Later, considering the plight of the residents and based on their application, Barabnir MLA Arjiji Rai sought a month's time from the DBC authorities for rehabilitation or alternative arrangements. After that deadline, the evacuation operation begins again on Saturday. To avoid any untoward situation, the area has been cordoned off since morning with huge forces of state police and DBC's own security forces. For the sake of security, the work of demolishing one residence after another continued. Locals allege that several trees located near the residence have been damaged by the bulldozer. A Deputy General Manager (DGM), DBC, said, a decision has been taken to demolish a total of 110 houses of DBC in the Left Bank area and the operation is going on as per that plan. The residents claimed to be uprooted and have been living in this area for about 22 years. According to him, more than 450 families once lived here. They were in dire straits as they had to leave the house with just one month's notice during the rainy season. In the absence of any clear arrangement for rehabilitation, they are left lost as to where to take shelter with their families. In the words of a local resident, "I have been living here for 22 years. Suddenly I have to leave my house during the rainy season. I don't understand where to go with my family." New questions have arisen regarding rehabilitation and humanitarian approach around this eviction campaign by DBC. There is increasing concern about what will be the future of the homeless families.