Shop owners allege bias in eviction drive

Hundreds of shop owners, who were recently evicted from the National Highway-55 by Angul Municipality authorities, have threatened to stage agitation if an alternative vending zone is not provided to

ANGUL: Hundreds of shop owners, who were recently evicted from the National Highway-55 by Angul Municipality authorities, have threatened to stage agitation if an alternative vending zone is not provided to them at the earliest.

The affected shop owners congregated at Gapabandhu Park under the banner of Uthha Dokani Byabasayi Sangh on Sunday pressing their demand.
They have accused the authorities of favouring a few shop owners and sparing them from the demolition drive.

"While the shops belonging to the poor vendors were demolished by the officials, the establishments having connections with the higher authorities were left untouched," said Gopal Nath, an office-bearer of the association.
He further alleged that the authorities violated the guidelines by demolishing the shops beyond the National Highway zone.

Citing that the shops were their only means of livelihood, the vendors stated that despite paying taxes to the Municipality authoritiesconcerned, no
alternative arrangements were made for them to run their business.

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