Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 3: Strict enforcement of rules by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has spelled trouble for outstation flower vendors who had set up stalls on the footpaths in and around Hampankatta ahead of the Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival.
Based on complaints from locals, MCC officials conducted an eviction drive on Thursday. The civic body has been continuously cracking down on small-time street vendors operating on footpaths recently. Consequently, the vendors who had travelled from distant places with loads of flowers specifically for the festival were left unable to conduct their business.
Every year, flower growers and vendors from districts like Hassan, Mandya and other parts of the state travel to Mangaluru during major festivals such as Ganesha Chaturthi, Nagara Panchami, Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vijayadashami. They usually sell their produce for a day or two and return. However, the vendors who arrived on the eve of Ashtami this year were left in a state of shock following the sudden eviction.
During the operation in and around Hampankatta on Thursday, MCC officials cleared the vendors whose makeshift setups were obstructing the free movement of pedestrians. The officials made it clear that footpaths are strictly reserved for the safe and smooth movement of the public, especially pedestrians, and no illegal encroachments will be tolerated.
The encroached items and vending setups were removed to facilitate public use of the footpaths. The officials also issued a stern warning to the street vendors, stating that strict legal action will be initiated without any hesitation if they are found illegally occupying footpaths in the future.
Meanwhile, honorary president of the Dakshina Kannada District Street Vendors' Association B K Imtiyaz strongly condemned the civic body's action. He stated that it was highly condemnable for the MCC to target farmers and flower vendors who come from other districts specifically for festival sales, alleging that the raid was carried out based on the complaints of certain vested interests.