Kolkata: A fire destroyed around 300 makeshift huts in the Ghuni bustee near New Town Eco Park, leaving Muslim residents homeless and under suspicion. Within hours of the blaze, political narratives began framing the area as a hub of illegal migrants, despite lack of verified findings from authorities.
The settlement had earlier gained the label “mini Bangladesh” during the special intensive revision of electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. Television debates and political statements portrayed residents as intruders even before verification processes reached completion. After the fire on December 17, similar claims resurfaced, shifting attention away from relief and rehabilitation.
Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged involvement of the ruling Trinamool Congress in the fire. The allegation came less than a day after the incident. No official inquiry findings supported the claim at the time of the statement.
The voter list revision process added to fear within the settlement. The draft electoral roll published on December 16 showed deletion of 58.17 lakh names. Election data classified 24 lakh as deceased, 19 lakh as permanently shifted, and 12 lakh as missing. The Election Commission categories focus on eligibility and do not label any voter as foreign.
Residents said panic spread after news of deletions. Some migrants from Bangladesh had already left following the revision announcement. Others remained undocumented despite long years of work and residence.
After the fire, political attention focused on identity rather than relief measures. Families sifted through burnt remains of homes in search of documents and belongings. Many said repeated public suspicion placed them at risk of harassment.
Community voices stressed the need for facts based assessment and humane response. They called for transparent investigation into the fire and immediate rehabilitation instead of rhetoric.
Story by Debayan Dutta for Telegraph India
