TMC steps into Matua eviction row, turns heat on railways

With the Assembly elections drawing closer the Trinamul Congress (TMC) appears to have strategically stepped into a long-simmering agitation involving hundreds of Matua community members, who recently received eviction notices from the railways authorities.

On Monday, a large group of Matua residents from Thakurnagar and Ramnagar under the Dabgram–Fulbari Assembly segment marched towards the office of the Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) at New Jalpaiguri. Many carried placards and Matua flags, asserting their community identity and protesting the proposed eviction.

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The move is politically significant because the Matua community in North Bengal has traditionally backed the BJP.

In a noteworthy development, Siliguri Municipal Corporation’s Deputy Mayor, Ranjan Sarkar, led the march along with leaders of the Namo Sudra Udbastu Banchao Committee. Local TMC-backed INTTUC leaders mobilised the residents and organised the demonstration at the NJP area.

Adding to the political intrigue, Mr Sarkar himself held the Matua flag while meeting Railway officials at the ADRM office, representing the aggrieved residents during discussions on the eviction drive.

INTTUC leader Sukanta Kar said the Matua families, many of whom have lived in the area for decades, would not vacate their homes.

“We will not tolerate such eviction drives in West Bengal when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is firmly against evicting poor people without proper notice and rehabilitation,” he said.

Several elderly women joining the protest said they were daily wage earners who had no alternative shelter, and no means to make temporary arrangements if they were forced out.

According to them, the railways issued notices at least a week ago, asking alleged encroachers to vacate the land within 15 days.

Political observers note the context: the BJP won the Dabgram–Fulbari seat in 2021, defeating TMC candidate Goutam Deb, who is now the Mayor of Siliguri. Mr Deb, earlier a two-time MLA from this constituency, is reportedly planning to contest the next Assembly polls from Siliguri, sources said.