Jalandhar: Hundreds of residents and members of various organisations staged a protest on Saturday in Phillaur’s Mata Kaulan Nagar after receiving notices to vacate their homes and shops, triggering widespread anger in the area.
The residents, many of whom have been living and running businesses there for nearly 40 years, were asked to vacate their premises within 48 hours. The notices, issued three days ago with police support, have created panic among locals.
According to reports, around 200 houses and 200–250 shops — totalling nearly 300 to 400 structures — have been served eviction notices. The land is reportedly owned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which has sought administrative assistance to clear alleged encroachments.
The issue has also sparked a political row, with leaders from different parties reaching the spot. Congress MLA from Phillaur, Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, said the settlement was established during his father’s tenure and assured that residents would not be displaced. He added that he has spoken to the SDM to extend the deadline and will meet Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi to seek a resolution.
BJP leader Avinash Chander also opposed the move, stating that thousands of poor families living in the area should not be uprooted without dialogue. He claimed that similar action had been halted earlier and demanded that the issue be reconsidered at the central level.
Meanwhile, Phillaur SDM Deepak Bhatia clarified that the administration had only issued verbal directions on NHAI’s request, while written notices had already been served by the authority earlier. He said no forced eviction has been initiated, considering the long settlement and lack of alternative housing for residents.
Officials added that a meeting between residents and NHAI authorities is being arranged, and further action will be taken as per legal procedures.
The colony is located around 100 feet from the Phillaur flyover, with a railway track on one side and NHAI land on the other, making it a critical zone for infrastructure development.
