Agartala, Nov 23, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Nov 23: Fuming in anger over the demolition of roadside shops on both sides of the Battala-Dashamighat road and in Battala market, a 24-hour Battala Market Bandh was organized on Wednesday to protest the wanton demolition.

A procession of evicted shopkeepers and traders supported by other businessmen in the market on Wednesday marched through the Battala-Joynagar area to register their protest.

Firing fresh salvos towards the BJP-led Agartala Municipal Corporation, the agitating businessmen alleged, “Several shops were inhumanly bulldozed by the AMC in presence of the Mayor without any alternative arrangements for the poor shopkeepers”.

“Many shops did not have valid papers but some did have. Despite of repeatedly seeking time to remove the merchandise and assurance of rehabilitation, the authorities acted deaf and dumb to our pleas. Nothing was offered to us except demolition by bulldozer until the shops that were our only source of livelihood, were pulled down”, said the agitating shopkeepers.

The task force of AMC has confirmed that at least 23 small and big shops on both sides of the road and inside the market were demolished.

The traders said, “Such anarchy was never seen by us after independence”.

There was no precedent during the Left Front government of making people stand on the streets by using force and eviction.  Agartala Municipal Corporation, run by the Left Front, had taken initiatives to widen the road or clear the footpaths, but the problems were resolved through discussion.  No one was evicted without taking alternative measures.

This was the opinion of the people who came to see this inhumane eviction operation in Battala Bazar.

Talking to a trader, Chinu Rani Deb, a cancer patient, whose shop was demolished in the anti-encroachment drive said, “All the furniture’s including refrigerators were demolished. AMC authorities did not negotiate with the traders for once. The shop was here for 71 years. I’m suffering from cancer; my son is mentally ill. It's all finished. There is no way but death together”.

Meanwhile the “Battala Bulldozing” incident has opened up new ways for the opposition that got a burning issue to rebel.

Since Tuesday, several leaders of opposition political parties including CPI-M and Congress reached out to the traders and shopkeepers of Battala market and assured them of help while castigating the BJP-led AMC over such ‘inhuman’ act.

Leader of opposition and former chief minister Manik Sarkar while speaking to the reporters said, “It is worth wondering, what kind of smart city will be built by kicking on the stomach of poor businessmen”.

On the other hand, Mayor Dipak Majumder justified the demolition. He said, “Illegal occupants had been given adequate time to clear up their establishments that were creating hardships for the pedestrians as well as resulting in water logging issues”.

“Besides, it was outmost necessary to clear both sides of the road for smooth traffic movement and for the pedestrians”.

Talking about the illegally set up “Mini bars” and liquor shops, AMC mayor Dipak Majumder said, “We won’t tolerate such illegal things like that of the Communists. Our government is working to make the state drugs free. Nothing illegal will be entertained”.