Overview
- BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya raised Kolkata Port encroachment during Question Hour and quoted the city's mayor as having called a section of the area 'mini-Pakistan'.
- Bhattacharya said the port owns nearly 4,000 acres and about 170 acres are under illegal occupation, concentrated in Garden Reach, Metiabruz and Khidirpur.
- Minister of State Shantanu Thakur said the port authority has filed court cases to recover the land and that officials are unable to vacate it because it is being held by force.
- Thakur said many encroachers are linked to the ruling TMC and confirmed the mayor publicly used the 'mini-Pakistan' phrase, adding that documentation exists.
- Opposition MPs, including Fauzia Khan and John Brittas, objected to the language and sought expunction, after which the Chair restored order and the House moved on to other business including the Budget debate.