Faridabad residents protest Nehru Colony demolition drive in other localities; require rehabilitation
People protested outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Faridabad on Monday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Hundreds of people protested outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday against the use of bulldozers and “illegal demolitions” in Nehru Colony and other localities, demanding action against those responsible, compensation for demolished houses and rehabilitation of displaced residents.
According to protesters, the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) and the district administration demolished hundreds of houses and places of worship in Nehru Colony, a 70-year-old settlement, on the night of May 29-30 while residents were sleeping.
The demonstration led by leaders of the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) was part of the ongoing sit-in of the “Nehru Bachao Sangharsh Samiti Colony” outside the Municipal Commissioner’s office since 15 June. Organizers said the protest followed a week-long campaign across the affected colonies.
‘Without notice’
Residents said no prior eviction notices were issued and thousands of homeowners were verbally threatened to move out. Several families said they have ration cards, Aadhaar cards, electricity meters, voter ID cards and family ID cards and that multiple generations have lived in the colony for decades.
The MCF issued a formal notice on June 2, three days after the demolitions began. Citing metro rail infrastructure work as the reason for the demolition drive, the notice said that land from “120 feet on the culvert side to 160 feet on the mosque side” must be cleared for the metro station within a week. She added that the measures will be governed by the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 with compensation and resettlement for the affected families.
Protesters questioned why the notice was issued after the demolitions and why it mentioned only a specific section, while verbal orders allegedly forced the entire colony to vacate. They also raised concerns about the interruption of water and electricity supplies and the imposition of a ban on public gatherings under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
‘Glorious Ignorance’
CITU leaders said land acquisition for any project required early notification, assessment of compensation and dialogue with stakeholders, with remediation arranged before demolition in residential areas. “The demolition of houses and religious places in Nehru Colony blatantly ignores these legal norms,” said CITU Haryana General Secretary Jai Bhagwan, adding that residents in dozens of other colonies faced similar threats.
Protesters claimed the move was aimed at freeing up prime land for “specific ruling party leaders and real estate traders”, displacing millions of people. “Homes built by the blood, sweat and toil of thousands of families are being destroyed. Families are living in the open or in tents by the roadside, schools will reopen soon,” said one protester, speaking on condition of anonymity.
CM’s letter
After a protest march to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the protesters submitted a memorandum to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini demanding an immediate halt to the demolition of houses, shops and religious places in Nehru Colony and other Faridabad colonies, compensation and in situ rehabilitation of families whose houses and shops were demolished, and compensation and restoration of religious places.
The protesters also demanded a judicial inquiry into the bulldozing drive and legal action against those who ordered and carried it out, immediate restoration of water and electricity in Nehru Colony, and better public amenities including paved lanes, sanitation, primary health centers and government schools in Nehru Colony and other colonies.
Municipal Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata refused to comment on the matter, saying it was “sub judice”.
Published – 22 Jun 2026 23:16 IST