Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 4: The demolition drive of the City Corporation against illegal constructions in the city continued on Tuesday March 3. Many merchants expressed anguish and resentment at the drive, alleging that even the licenced shops were targeted by the demolition team.

When some merchants tried to block the demolitions near the State Bank, the policemen resorted to light lathi charge to disperse them. Some of the merchants said that they have been conducting business here since the last several decades and that they have also been paying rent to the City Corporation regularly.

"Let them issue us notices in advance. We are ready for a legal battle. The shops built out of our hard-earned money have been brought down. The district administration and City Corporation did not care when thefts took place in our shops," they said.

Merchants Dinesh Shenoy Adyar, Hanif and others said that the local merchants will be challenging the Corporation's drive against roadside merchants, under the banner of Municipal Welfare Society.