Vendors burn MLA’s effigy, demand space for kiosks

Avneet Kaur
Jalandhar, November 20

Hundreds of protesters, under the banner of the ‘Gareeb Bachao Morcha’, gheraoed Jyoti Chowk, Sudama Market, fruit market and the entire stretch today, expressing anger against the Municipal Corporation (MC) for demolishing decades-old kiosks at Tikki Wala Chowk on November 17.

The protesters raised slogans against the MC authorities and sat on a dharna till evening, blocking the Jyoti chowk stretch, giving residents a tough time. They also protested outside the Mayor’s residence at Udham Singh Nagar (Shakti Nagar) and burnt the effigy of MLA Rajinder Beri, demanding space for running their kiosks on the same spot again.

“The authorities have put an end to the vendors’ decades-old livelihood. There are 18 persons who are affected by the MC action. The complete Rainak Bazaar Association and other vendors are in support of those whose kiosks have been razed. The authorities should provide them an alternative site or should allot at least 3-ft space on the same spot so that the affected vendors can resume their work,” said Vijay Choudhary, president, Gareeb Bachao Morcha.

He said if the demands of the vendors were not met, they would intensify their protest, block roads and sit on a hunger strike.

Meanwhile, following the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders, the Municipal Corporation on Sunday carried out the demolition drive in Rainak Bazaar. The famous Tikki Wala Chowk was completely razed by the MC team under stiff opposition from shopkeepers of the area.

As per MC officials, the vendors and shopkeepers were served notices in advance several times to remove their encroachments and announcements were made on rickshaws to warn the vendors against strict action, however, they failed to pay heed towards the MC’s warnings.

Mayor Jagdish Raja said the MC had sympathy for the vendors but shops at Tikki Wala Chowk were not only illegally occupied, but also located under a electrical transformer, posing a serious threat to their lives. “The place was too congested because of illegal encroachments due to which it is impossible for any ambulance or the fire brigade to reach the spot on time during any emergency situation,” he said.

When asked if demands of the affected vendors will be fulfilled, the Mayor said the MC was coming up with a scheme for them soon and it would allot space to the vendors in the area.