Kolkata Colony Residents Allege Bias as Water Supply Remains Cut Off for 52 Days

Around 5,000 residents of the Jyoti Nagar colony in Kolkata’s Cossipore area have been living without drinking water for 52 days. The crisis began on July 29, after five public taps serving the locality ran dry following pipeline work conducted by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Residents of the colony, which is situated on the banks of the Ganges next to the centuries-old Cossipore Guns and Shells factory in ward number 6, allege that the water supply was cut off deliberately.

The majority of the residents in Jyoti Nagar belong to the Muslim community. They claim that the water connection was disconnected under the guise of pipeline repairs to force them out of the area. According to local residents, KMC labourers were seen working on the pipeline at the entrance of the colony in mid-July. Although the work was completed and the labourers left on July 28, the water supply stopped entirely the following morning.

Daily Struggles and Health Concerns

Since the disruption of the public taps, residents have had to find alternative sources of water. Many have been forced to use water directly from the Ganges for bathing and washing. However, the river water is turbid and unhygienic, which has led to health issues. Local residents report that numerous children in the colony have developed skin infections and are currently undergoing medical treatment.

Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of response from local authorities and representatives. Nazma Bibi, a resident of the colony, stated that they approached both the KMC and the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to resolve the issue, but no action has been taken. She suggested that the community is being targeted based on its religious identity, noting that neighbouring colonies continue to have proper water connections.

The Land Dispute and Eviction Notices

The water crisis coincides with an ongoing land dispute between the residents of Jyoti Nagar and the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority. Port officials state that the land, which covers over 3,000 square metres, historically belongs to the port authority. However, the residents have lived in the area for a long period. The port authority initiated legal proceedings in February to reclaim the land, securing an eviction order from a civil court that same month.

Although the court order was issued in February, the port authority served the eviction notices to the residents in June, giving them 15 days to vacate the premises. In response, residents filed a petition with the Calcutta High Court on August 19 seeking relief. The High Court subsequently issued an interim stay on the eviction order, which remained in place until Thursday. Despite this legal stay, the water supply has not been restored.

Residents also reported facing intimidation from local political workers. Alamgir Biswas, another resident of the colony, alleged that local BJP workers have been calling them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and pressuring them to leave the area immediately.

Political Reactions and Civil Rights Advocacy

The local BJP MLA for the Kashipur-Belgachhia constituency, Ritesh Tiwari, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation. Residents claim that he has ignored their appeals. Pinki Bibi, a resident who was part of a group of women that visited the MLA's office in August, alleged that Tiwari told them those who did not vote for the BJP would not receive facilities.

The situation has drawn criticism from opposition political leaders. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Samirul Islam accused the BJP of engaging in divisive politics, questioning why the residents were being deprived of drinking water due to their minority status. In a social media post on X, he questioned why the West Bengal state government has not taken action on the matter.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) MP Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya led a protest rally to condemn the government's inaction, stating that the deprivation of water constitutes a violation of the residents' fundamental rights. Additionally, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) issued a statement through its secretary, Umar Awais, emphasizing that access to clean water is a basic human necessity and a responsibility that authorities must address promptly and humanely.