Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Jul 10: City Municipal Council (CMC) officials upon public complaints vacated about eight unauthorized petty shops selling fish on five places near Brahmagiri circle on Saturday July 10.

The operation was conducted in strict police security in between stiff opposition by the shopkeepers. A shopkeeper, Ashok Raj, objected to the sudden operation without serving notice and protested by lying under eviction vehicle, but the police prevented any untoward incident.

The officials had tried to vacate the petty shop of Dalit woman Radha Ashokraj selling fish on June 5 during lockdown. The operation was suspended after objections from various quarters. Counetr complaints were registered at Udupi city police station. Dalit organizations too had opposed the move.

In the operation on Saturday, officials have evicted petty shops including that of Radha. They also vacated metal sheets of shops and a garage extended to the government land.

“I was selling fish for livelihood with the trade license of my wife. We had a hard time without proper business. The officials arrived early in the morning with several police personnel and vacated the shops,” lamented Ashok Raj.

“We have taken away unauthorised petty shops on government land after public complaints. Those are in the custody of the municipal council now. The owners can take them away after payment of the fine. They will be legally disposed of otherwise,” said council engineer Mohan Raj.

Municipal council commissioner Dr Udaya Shetty, assistant executive engineer Mohan Raj, revenue officer Dhananjay, Udupi city police station inspector Pramod Kumar and others were present.