Mamata promises land rights for refugees, regularisation of colonies

Displaced refugees in West Bengal will be given land rights by the government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Monday (November 25), while stating that all refugee colonies on central government and private lands up to three acres will be regularised.

The state government had earlier regularised as many as 94 refugee colonies on state government land, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said after a Cabinet meeting.

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“We have decided to regularize all the lands (refugee settlements), solely because it has been a long time now. Since (March) 1971, they have been left hanging without a home or land. I believe refugees have the right,” news agency ANI quoted her as saying.

“There are several refugee colonies on the land owned by the central government and private parties as well. We have been saying this for a long time asking them to regularise these refugee colonies and provide them with land possession. However, they have sending eviction notices,” Banerjee added.

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The chief minister’s statement comes in the backdrop of the Centre’s announcement that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process would be carried out across the country.

Alleging that the TMC is protecting illegal immigrants from Bangladesh as they are the party’s vote bank, senior BJP leaders have asserted that NRC would be implemented in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)