Supreme Court Commands Uttarakhand to Rehabilitate 50,000 Encroachers

The Supreme Court ordered Uttarakhand's chief secretary to coordinate with the Centre and railways to rehabilitate over 50,000 people encroaching on railway land in Haldwani. The court emphasized the humane aspect of relocating families who have lived there for decades. A state scheme for rehabilitation is required.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Uttarakhand's chief secretary to hold a meeting with the Centre and the railways to address the rehabilitation of over 50,000 people who have encroached on railway land in Haldwani.

The top court reviewed a plea filed by the Centre to vacate the Supreme Court's January 5 order from the previous year, which had stayed the Uttarakhand High Court's directive for removal of encroachments from 29 acres claimed by the railways. A three-judge bench led by Justice Surya Kant insisted that the state government develop a scheme detailing how and where these people will be resettled.

'The ultimate thing is that families have been living on this land for decades,' Justice Surya Kant remarked, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the human element of the evictions. 'Courts cannot be ruthless. The state needs to act swiftly.'

The court instructed the state government to promptly identify the land required for infrastructure upgrades and railway line relocation, also pinpointing the families affected by the eviction.

According to the railways, there are 4,365 encroachers while the residents, many of whom are protesting, assert their rightful ownership. Nearly 50,000 people, mainly Muslims from over 4,000 families, reside on the disputed land.