Mangaluru, April 14: Under the banner of CITU, the street vendors on Monday April 13th, held a massive protest in front of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) opposing the eviction drive on petty shops.
Honorary president of CITU Sunil Kumar Bajal addressing the protestors said, from past few weeks eviction of street vendors has increased in various areas in the city. It is sad that the goods of the evicted street vendors are carried home by the workers and officials. Street vendors are physically assaulted. From the past days, street vendors have been demanding their goods to be returned without any fine, but of no use.
As there are corresponding laws, none is allowed to assault street vendors, but the MCC officials are violating the law. Protest has been staged many times in the past, but there are no changes in the officials.
As the national athletics is scheduled to be held at the end of this month, there is an increase in the eviction drive near Ladyhill area, KSRTC and Lalbagh areas. Today we have come here to gherao the MCC. We are not frightened of getting arrested, he said.
Expressing fury over the state government, he said, the chief minister of the state is anti-poor.
He also warned that on the inaugural day of Athletics Federation Cup, they would protest holding black flags if the eviction drive is continued even after today’s protest. We will continue to fight for our rights, he said.
When the protestors attempted to enter the MCC office, the cops surrounded them. All the protesters were detained and taken to police station.
