Agartala, August 12, 2025: Tripura’s West Joypur in the suburbs of Agartala city is witnessing a wave of anxiety as 19 families, who have lived on government land for more than four decades face eviction following a recent administrative notice. On Tuesday, the residents met the District Magistrate in a deputation urging the government to provide alternative accommodation before any displacement takes place.

According to the residents, their families have been living in the area for 40–45 years, paying municipal taxes and electricity bills in accordance with government regulations. Most of them earn their livelihood as daily wage laborers or domestic workers. The total number of people affected is over a hundred, including children, women, and elderly members.

“We do not have the financial capacity to buy the land. We have already approached the local corporator and MLA in the past, but with the deadline approaching, we had no choice but to come directly to the District Magistrate,” one resident said, explaining the distress caused by the notice.

The families emphasized that their protest is not against the government’s development initiatives. “We are not against development, but we want a roof over our heads. In the past, many families have been displaced for development projects, but they were given alternative housing. We hope the government will take humanitarian steps this time too,” another resident said.

The residents have demanded that the eviction process be halted until a proper rehabilitation plan is implemented. Local sources indicate that the administration is yet to respond to their appeal.