The High Court has ordered a three-month stay on the eviction of Harijan community residents from Barisal City Corporation. On Tuesday, a bench of Justice Md. Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Bishwajit Debnath issued the order after hearing a writ petition filed by four Supreme Court lawyers. The court also issued a rule asking why the eviction process should not be declared illegal.
The writ petition, filed on Monday, followed media reports including a September 13, Prothom Alo article titled “Eviction – Residents of Harijan community in fear.” Lawyers argued that 39 Harijan families have been living in the Kathpatti area colony for more than 170 years and that sudden eviction notices violated their rights. The petitioners stressed that these families have long served as sweepers and caretakers of the city.
Residents had earlier submitted a memorandum to the City Corporation demanding the halt of eviction plans, which were reportedly set to begin after Durga Puja. Many said they had never faced eviction in over a century, and the sudden notice created panic in the community. With the High Court order, eviction has been suspended for the time being, ensuring temporary relief for the Harijan families.
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