Eviction Drive In Bhubaneswar: Jharpada Vendors File FIR, Demand Rehabilitation

Bhubaneswar: The vendors affected by the eviction drive at Ganesh Bazaar at Jharpada in the city lodged an FIR at Laxmi Sagar police station on Sunday.

Alleging loot and damage to their propertyduring the eviction drive, 64 traders and vendors led by BJP and Congress leaders filed FIR against Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and General Administration (GA) Department. They have sought rehabilitation and adequate compensation.

The BJP has threatened to stage a massive protest if the affected shopkeepers of the market near Ganesh Mandap in Jharpada area are not suitably compensated.

Over 500 vendors, who used to earn their living by selling produce at the market, have lost property worth lakhs due to the eviction drive, said BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. Pradhan had sat on protest during the eviction.

Congress leader Madhusmita Acharya, who recently unsuccessfully contested for BMC Mayor post, said the Mayor said the party will stand by the vendors till they get justice.

The protesters alleged that the eviction drive was carried out in revenge as a BJP candidate had become the area corporator in the recent ULB elections.

The protesters claimed that BMC informed them about it only on Thursday night and had not given them much time to shift their stocks.