BBMP continues footpath anti-encroachment drive, vendors allege injustice

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Continuing with its drive to evict unauthorised vendors on the footpath around Jayanagar 4th block shopping complex among other areas, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) faced a protest staged by the displaced street vendors in front of its headquarters on Thursday.

Speaking to News Trail, Somashekhar, officer in charge of encroachment removal in BBMP South Zone, said, "Around 200 unauthorised stalls were removed in Jayanagar, including 32 unauthorised shops. We had gone there six months ago to inform all these vendors that they were operating illegally, and they should vacate the footpath. We warned them again about three months ago. On November 4, we made announcements in this area, using an open mic, about our intention to demolish illegal stalls. On November 7, we started demolishing illegal stalls on footpaths," he said.

However, Street vendors’ association president Rangaswamy responded by saying that street vendors are being put to hardship though they have been issued licences.

The BBMP commissioner is playing a double game and if we do not get justice, we will launch a day-night protest," he warned.

Meanwhile there are allegations that a 49-yearold street vendor died of a heart attack after his stall was removed by the BBMP officials. The deceased was identified as Krishna and it is being claimed that he had been keeping his stall on the footpath for the past 25 years.

He died on November 7 after the marshals removed his stall from the place, the vendors alleged. The street vendors in Jayanagar further said that they were looking for some business in the festival season, but now their hopes are dashed.