These families, most of them poor and working class, have built their lives here over decades. Their homes are the result of years of savings and labour. For them, this land is not just shelter but the foundation of their children’s futures.
On 26 June 2025, the East Central Railway pasted a general notice in the area, ordering removal of so-called encroachments from the southern end of the station. The notice directed residents to vacate the land by 3 July 2025.
The CPI(ML) Koilwar block office, which is also located on this stretch of railway land, hosted a joint meeting of the affected families and party leaders, including members of the transgender community. The meeting condemned the government’s arbitrary and anti-poor eviction drive and resolved to launch a protest.
On 4 July, a one-day dharna was held before the District Magistrate of Bhojpur under the leadership of CPI(ML) and Khegramas. The main demands raised were that no eviction should take place without alternative arrangements, each family should be given five decimals of land, and permanent housing should be guaranteed.
CPI(ML) Central Committee member and former Agiaon MLA Comrade Manoj Manzil said that the government must ensure alternative arrangements for the poor and provide them with land and permanent houses.
Transgender persons, who have been residing on the railway land for over 20 years, participated in large numbers. Khushboo Kinnar said, “We have always faced discrimination. If our homes are demolished, where will we go. The government must provide five decimals of land and permanent houses for us.” She expressed fear over the exclusion of transgender persons from the ongoing voter list revision and demanded inclusion in the electoral rolls and issuance of Aadhaar cards. “We don’t have our parents’ documents. Does that mean we have no right to live in this country.” She declared that they would resist demolition without alternative arrangements, even if the government brings bulldozers.
The dharna was presided over by CPI(ML) Koilwar block secretary Vishnu Thakur and conducted by Comrade Bhola Yadav. Local transgender residents Manju, Priya, Khushboo, Kalpana and Sheela addressed the protest.
After nearly five hours of protest, the SDM of Arrah Sadar held talks with the protesters and assured that no homes would be demolished and no land would be forcibly cleared. He further said that land would be provided to all and houses would be constructed under the housing scheme.
