Human Rights activist, Mr Binayak Sen, on Friday criticised the West Bengal Government's attempt to forcefully evict slum dwellers at Nonadaga in the Eastern fringe of Kolkata.
He promised medical facilities to the families living there.
Speaking to newspersons during his visit to Nonadanga, Mr Sen said, “it is a matter of shame in which the people are being treated, where they do not have access to drinking water, distribution of food grains through public distribution system, schools and medical facilities.”
In response to complaints from residents on alleged excesses by police to prevent protests, Mr Sen said: “The basis of our democracy is that there should be tolerance for dissent. It the tolerance is not there democracy cannot function.”
The slum dwellers complained that they were put behind bars for protesting against the eviction and booked under charges for being involved in Maoist activities.