Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 21: Under the orders of the taluk panchayat executive officer's court, shops adjacent to the fish market at Sastan in the tauk were evicted on Thursday July 20 under tight police vigil. A large gathering witnessed the proceedings as the shopkeepers opposed the eviction proceedings.

There had been dispute between the owners of these shops and Airody gram panchayat under which Sastan is located,  on the issue of vacating of premises. The owners of these shops had in the past, approached court at Kundapur resisting attempt to drive them away.

Airody gram panchayat had approached Coastal Development Authority with a proposal to build new fish market in place of old one at Sastan. Grant of two crore rupees had been accordingly released. Airody gram panchayat had taken decision to demolish the commercial building adjacent to fish market to build it afresh. The shop owners had approached court, and the court at Kundapur had asked them to settle the issue at the court of the taluk panchayat chief executive officer's court.

Shop keepers resisted tooth and nail the efforts to vacate their shops on Thursday. They sought 15 days time, claiming that they have already approached the high court. But the gram panchayat said that already enough time was given to them, and therefore additional time cannot be given. Advocates representing shopkeepers also came on the scene and tried to strike a compromise. Special tahsildar of Brahmavar, Pradeep Kurudekar, who came there, asked the shops to be evicted as per the orders of the taluk panchayat chief executive officer's court.

Some panchayat members who were present at the scene expressed anger at the journalists who had visited the spot to prepare a report on developments. Airody gram panchayat president, Moses Rodrigues, said that as per the instructions of the court, taluk panchayat executive officer's court had settled the issue by ordering the shops here to be vacated. He clarified that the grant needs to be utilized soon, and it is in the interests of the development of Sastan.