Gujarat: In a demolition drive, nearly 8,000 homes were razed in Siasat Nagar, Gujarat, with the state government citing “national security” as the reason behind the action, reports said.
The move has displaced thousands of families, many of whom allege they were given no prior notice or time to evacuate.
Petitions filed to halt the demolitions were rejected by the Gujarat High Court, which upheld the state’s justification rooted in national security concerns, The Wire reported. The court refused to grant a stay, leaving affected residents without legal relief.
Videos and reports from the ground show widespread chaos as bulldozers flattened homes and residents scrambled to salvage belongings. Human rights groups have condemned the action, calling for immediate rehabilitation and transparency in the process.
The state government has yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the humanitarian fallout.
This is the second round of demolition in the Gujarat city. The first phase took place in April 2025 when bulldozers ran over 4,000 unauthorised structures spread over 1.5 lakh square metres, CNBC TV 18 reported.
People have been ordered to vacate the area through announcements made on loudspeakers in the last two days.
