Bihar: Dozens Of Families Living Along NH-33 In Sheikhpura For Decades May Lose Their Homes As Eviction Order Issued

Jagran Correspondent, Sheikhpura | Dozens of families from the weaker section living along the National Highway (NH-33) in Gangti village of Barbigha block, Sheikhpura, Bihar, for nearly four decades are now facing the threat of homelessness. The National Highway Authority has issued a notice to the Scheduled Caste families living along the roadside to vacate their homes within a week. The notice has created an atmosphere of anxiety and fear among the residents.

Residents Meet DM, Seeking Relief

On Friday, dozens of men and women from Gangti village reached the Collectorate and met with the District Magistrate to express their woes. The villagers included JD-U leaders Ashrafi Manjhi, Sako Manjhi, and Sarita Devi, among others. They submitted an application to the District Magistrate, requesting additional time to vacate their homes. They also appealed to the administration to arrange for their rehabilitation. The villagers appealed to the District Magistrate for sufficient time on humanitarian grounds. They said that the action should be postponed until alternative arrangements are made. They demanded that they be provided with safe accommodation before their houses are vacated.

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The villagers demanded that they be given sufficient time until rehabilitation arrangements are made so that they can arrange for alternative accommodation for their families.

Families Living There For Four Decades

Locals said they have been living there for nearly 40 years. According to them, the road was previously much wider, and after the construction of the PCC road and drain, people moved their homes away from the road.

'Eviction During Monsoon Is A Nightmare'

Now, suddenly receiving notices to vacate their houses within a week has created a major scare for the families amid monsoon. The villagers said that if action is taken, they will be forced to live under the open sky with their children. If the houses are demolished during the rainy season, it would be a nightmare for them.

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They said in their application that the rainy season is currently underway and eviction or demolition of their houses during this time will cause unbearable hardship to young children, women, and the elderly.

Economically Weak Families Have No Other Option

According to the villagers, all the families are economically weak and belong to the Scheduled Caste community. They have no other place to live. In such a situation, if their houses are demolished, their families will face a crisis of shelter. The villagers have demanded that the administration make proper arrangements for their rehabilitation before displacing them.