KOCHI: In a novel method of registering protest, residents of Panampilly Nagar joined hands with the traders in the locality to observe ‘blackout day’ on Wednesday against a court-ordered eviction drive.
The Kerala High Court had, last month, directed the civic body to act against unauthorised buildings in the area by March 31. Around 240 commercial establishments lacking proper licence were to be affected by the drive.
As part of the protest, the residents and traders switched off the lights in their homes and shops. The traders and industrialists at Panampilly Nagar, along with Panampilly Nagar Association of Commercial Establishments and Residents (PACE), organised the protest, which was inaugurated by Chairman of Greater Cochin National Authority N Mohanan.
PACE president Sreenivasan Krishnan presided over. Councillors David Parambithara, P D Martin, Antony Painuthara and K X Francis, CPM area committee member Renish, secretary of Panampilly Nagar Residents Association K P Divakaran, PACE executive member Shobha Kunchan, among others, were present.