The area residents have been staging a sit-in demonstration in Block C of Kumartuli for the past 30 days in protest against their “forced eviction” and “unauthorised demolition” of their houses.

“We don’t want to stop development. We will be more than elated if that happens, but all we want is transparency in the entire process,” said Babla Ray, secretary, Kumartuli Pally Unnayan Committee.

The development of Kumartuli has been on the agenda of various MLAs and MPs, right from the time Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was elected as MLA from here in 1977. The area in question belongs to the state government and is governed by the Thika Tenancy Act. The Act defines two types of tenants — those who own a place and are mostly idol-makers are described as ‘thika tenants,’ while those who stay in others’ places, either paying rent or otherwise, and work as laborers are desribed as ‘bharatiyas’.

“The project, which has no written agreement, says that thika tenants will get the flats proportionate to the number of rooms they rent out, and also an extra one for being owners of flats. Bharatiyas are supposed to get as many flats as the number of rooms that have been rented out to them,” said Roy. “The hitch is that there is no written agreement. They are only verbally promising, and forcing us to sign papers on that basis” said Badal Paul, an idol-maker, whose family’s association with the place goes beyond 250 years.

According to locals here, there has been no public meeting on the issue. “On April 30, trucks from Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) came and demolished many houses. No prior notice was given. Later, we filed an RTI application and found that no final decision had been taken on the project. How can they carry out demolition work without a dinal decision?,” said Apurba Paul, an idol-maker.

Sundar Paul, an elderly artist, was allegedly beaten up when he tried to resist the demolition of his house.

“In the Sundar Paul vs State of West Bengal case that I fought, the High Court ordered on May 20 that no further demolitions would be carried out,” said Paul.

Locals also point out discrepancies in the allottment of flats. “Sheer nepotism is going on here,” said Badal Pal, an agitator, adding that while some tenants have rented out more than five rooms, but get only one flat, others get more than what they deserve.

“The Bharatiyas in my house pay rent for one room. They have divided the room into three and are now getting three flats, courtesy their association with some political leaders,” said Manju Das, an idol-maker and owner of a house.

Those whose houses have been demolished have been temporarily rehabilitated in Bagbazar PHC. “My family has shifted there, but I can’t stay there. There’s no water or proper sanitary conditions,” said Sandhya Paul.

Some locals are being deprived of basic amenities like drinking water, electricity and clean bathroom. “They are using blackmailing techniques to evict us. They also abuses girls,” said Kanchi, an idol maker,

The Kumartuli Mritshilpa Sanskritik Samity, however, has a different version. “KMDA has discussed the issue with the residents of Kumartuli. Only after everyone signed papers did we start the demolition work. If these people are so reluctant, why did they sign the papers?” said Babu Pal, secretary of the Samity. Babu said the agitators are being funded by some people with vested interests.

“There are bigger businessmen who do not make idols, but buy them from these agitating idol makers. They get the big orders from foreign clientelle. These men want to resist development for their own interests,” said Babu.