The story of Bhadrakali Refugees and the continued story of displacement. From Gana Udyog, courtesy Dipanjan Rai Chaudhuri.

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In 1952, The Vadrakali Widow Camp was established under Uttarpara Kotrang Municipality, to give shelter to the widow families who came across the border line of East- Pakistan after the Noakhali Riot in 1946. This camp provided shelter to almost 200-300 families with some other necessary requirments of life such as dal, chawal and a very little amount of money. This people came to be known as the "dolis".

When the camp was yet to begin, the govt mainly hired the land from the local land owners. The main area is comprised of 22 bighas among which 17 bighas belong to the land owners. The rest was the land of the Municipality and only 3.5 bigha zamin had been left unclaimed.
 
Days passed by. The number of the people in the camp is increasing day by day. At present the total number of families are approximately 276, comprising those who came later and those who are non-dolis. The total population is approximately 1500. Here, the main sourse of livelihood is rested on the men's work specially in the informal sector such as "raj-mietry", "rikhshaw-puller" etc. whereas the women work as the domestic dervice provider for the local upper class and middle class families.
 
Some portion of this land was used by the Britidh govt. for some purpose during the time of second world war. Now, on last 3rd April, 2009, the land owners went to the court to get their land back. (here, it should be noted that few years back this land owners suggested the govt. to take hold of these lands.)
 
On 22nd February, 2010, in the hearing of the case named, Smt. Monoroma Sinha and Others VS. West Bengal Govt. and Others, the High Court gave the verdict that within 6 weeks of the hearimg, the "West- Bengal Refugee and Rehabilitation Department" should return the acquired lane to the Zilla Collector and also pay back the rent-compensation amount to the land owners.
 
There is a hidden truth prevailing in the atmosphere that even The Wect Bengal Refugee and Rehabilitation Department is not going to hold the land any more. And the R.G.B Construction (The Regent Company) is keen to start their project on the land.
 
Now, where should these people go? The only way out is to protest. Thus, on 24th April, 2010, they set up a rally and submitted deputation to the local Thana, The Commissioner and to the M.L.A respectively. They are not satisfied with the role played by the UCRC ( Unitec Counsil of Refugee Committee). So, they have stared the fight once again.