Mass Demolition at ‘Mini-Bangladesh’ in Gujarat Sparks Displacement Fears Amid Security Push

Gujarat authorities demolished 4,000 illegal structures near Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake, targeting suspected Bangladeshi settlements. Officials cite national security and links to terrorism and crime. The state plans to redevelop the area, but concerns over displacement and the humanitarian fallout have sparked debate.

In a sweeping operation near Chandola Lake in Ahmedabad, Gujarat authorities demolished around 4,000 illegal structures in what is being described as a major crackdown on suspected Bangladeshi settlements. Launched on April 29 by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Gujarat police, the operation involved over 70 earth movers, 200 dumpers, and 2,000 police personnel.

The area, often called “mini-Bangladesh” for its large population of undocumented migrants, has come under intense scrutiny following the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. Officials claim that terror outfits and criminal networks have long operated from the settlement. Earlier arrests of Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) members and intelligence on infiltration attempts by banned Bangladeshi terror groups have fueled the urgency of the crackdown.

Police have also linked the settlement to drug trafficking, human trafficking, and document forgery. One farmhouse, belonging to alleged fixer Mehmoodkhan Pathan, was among the demolished structures. He is accused of running a network that helped illegal migrants acquire forged Indian documents and had ties to local political and police circles. An FIR has been registered, and investigations are ongoing.

On April 30, the Gujarat cabinet approved a two-phase redevelopment plan for the area. The first phase involves the complete removal of remaining illegal structures across 40,000 square yards. The second phase will see Chandola Lake restored and converted into a public space with recreational facilities, supported by drone surveillance to prevent re-encroachment.

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While the state touts the move as a firm stand against illegal encroachments and national security threats, concerns have emerged about mass displacement and the humanitarian impact on affected residents, many of whom claim to have lived there for years.