The Plight of the Displaced- Overview

Displacement is the immediate effect of developmental activities. Installations of major projects of so-called public importance in Kochi displace people living in permanent settlement with long-established way of life. Hence, development projects displacing people do cause social, psychological, economic and environmental problems.

Centre for Research and Documentation initiates a study in two areas of Kochi City namely Kakkanad and Vaduthala from where original inhabitants will be evicted in the name of developments disregarding human rights. Near about 100 families are going to be evacuated from Vaduthala for the sake of establishing rail link to Vallarpadam Transshipment Container Terminal. The process of evacuation of about 60 families is already begun in Kakkanad in order to set up an Information Technology Centre named Smart City.

The research design is formulated on the ground of the findings from situational analysis. The research is designed so as to extract the real psychological struggles the community is facing since the notification of the acquisition of their land and building.

The people have been found exasperated since the notification of evacuation. Winning the acceptance of the people facing displacement, was challenging. It is successfully managed by way of effective intervention giving them moral support initially and sensitizing them of human rights. We have made entry into the community by way of net working with the leaders of the action council formed against the forceful evacuation and we do gain their acceptance by moral support and sensitization of rights and values.

The project opens new challenges since its commencement. The community on the whole is vulnerable and marginalized. The desperate situation they undergo now has its consequences on every sphere of their life. The evacuation processes especially make indelible impacts on their psychological well-being. The research is expected to bring forth the real struggles of this voiceless section and hope to evolve effective solution to the issues.

Report prepared by:

Denny E.S.
Project Coordinator