Residents of Tiljala and Topsia accuse authorities of creating panic in their neighbourhoods; officials claim buildings violate municipal construction laws
KOLKATA — Just days before Bakrid, fear and uncertainty have spread across Kolkata’s Muslim-majority Tiljala and Topsia areas after demolition notices were pasted on residential buildings, warning families to vacate their homes or face bulldozer action.
The notices, issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, have triggered panic among hundreds of residents who say they suddenly face the threat of becoming homeless at a time when families were preparing for Eid Al-Adha.
Residents woke up to find official notices pasted outside buildings, warning that several structures allegedly violated provisions of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980.
According to the notices, if buildings were not vacated or removed within 48 hours, authorities could proceed with demolition and recover the cost of the operation from owners and residents.
The action has led to strong reactions in the locality because many affected buildings are located in densely populated Muslim neighbourhoods where families have lived for years.
Several residents said the timing of the notices — just days before Bakrid — has created emotional distress and confusion among families already struggling with rising expenses and economic pressure.
Police forces and bulldozers were reportedly seen stationed near parts of the affected areas, increasing fear among local people.
Videos circulating from Tiljala and Topsia showed heavy police deployment near residential buildings while residents gathered in groups discussing the notices and possible demolition.
One resident, requesting anonymity out of fear of official action, said, “If the bulldozers arrive, our entire family will be on the road. We bought this flat with our life savings.”
Another resident said families were shocked because many homes had been purchased legally through bank loans.
“How can ordinary people suddenly be told their homes are illegal after banks approved loans and authorities allowed construction for years?” asked a resident of the area.
According to local accounts, several affected families purchased their flats more than a decade ago.
One resident said he bought his apartment in 2011 for Rs 54 lakh after securing a bank loan of Rs 26 lakh, and is now struggling to understand how the building is suddenly being described as illegal.
The demolition notices reportedly include buildings such as “Elite Prime” located on 57 G J Khan Road in Tiljala and a residential complex known as “Home at 57”.
Residents of “Home at 57” said they believed their building had proper permissions and were shocked after receiving notices.
“We purchased flats believing everything was authorised. Now we are being told the structure may face demolition,” said a Muslim resident of the building.
The issue has also taken a political turn after reports emerged that former Javed Ahmed Khan, a former Trinamool Congress MLA, also received a notice related to a property in the area where he has reportedly lived since 1995.
Locals alleged that many buildings in the locality were constructed by developers who enjoyed political backing over the years.
Some residents claimed that after the notices were issued, several builders and property-linked individuals became unreachable, further increasing anxiety among homeowners.
Muslim families in Tiljala and Topsia say the sudden notices have left them with impossible questions.
Parents are worried about where children, elderly relatives and women will go if demolitions begin.
“For poor and middle-class people, a house is everything. We spent our lives building this security,” said one elderly resident.
Community members also questioned why authorities allowed construction, electricity connections, water supply and bank financing for years if the buildings were genuinely illegal.
Human rights activists warned that large-scale demolition drives in minority neighbourhoods create deep fear and insecurity among already vulnerable communities.
Kolkata-based activist Sabina Yasmin said, “If illegal construction exists, action should follow due legal process and rehabilitation principles. Poor residents should not become scapegoats for failures of builders and authorities.”
Residents alleged that the action feels selective because the affected belt is heavily Muslim-populated.
Some locals openly questioned whether the timing before Bakrid was intentional.
“This is the season when families are preparing for Eid. Instead of peace, people are living in fear of losing their homes,” said a local shopkeeper.
Civic authorities, however, denied any communal angle and maintained that the operation is part of an action against illegal construction.
A municipal official reportedly described Tiljala-Topsia as a “red zone” for unauthorised buildings and claimed that nearly 70 per cent of constructions in the area over the past two decades may have violated building regulations.
According to officials, if the state launches a full-scale enforcement drive, thousands of structures across the area could face scrutiny or demolition.
Legal experts said the issue raises serious questions about the accountability of municipal authorities, builders and regulatory systems.
Advocate Moinul Haque said, “If buildings were illegal, why were completion certificates, utility services and financial approvals allowed for years? Homebuyers cannot alone bear the burden of administrative failure.”
Urban housing activists also stressed that residents who purchased flats in good faith should not be treated as criminals.
Prof Nandini Chatterjee, an urban governance researcher, said, “In many Indian cities, ordinary buyers suffer because of corruption and collusion between developers and officials. Demolition without fair rehabilitation creates humanitarian problems.”
For now, fear continues to dominate the narrow lanes of Tiljala and Topsia.
Children, women and elderly residents remain anxious as rumours of possible bulldozer action continue to spread across the locality.
Many families say they are spending sleepless nights wondering whether they will still have a roof over their heads when Bakrid arrives.
