Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 4: B K Imthiyaz, president of the street vendors association, alleged that the 'Operation Tiger' order has come from the BJP office.

Addressing the media,Imthiyaz said, "For the past week, the 'Operation Tiger' against street vendors has been rampant. Officials, under the guise of the tiger operation, have destroyed and damaged the properties of street vendors. They have even evicted vendors who possess ID cards. When the ID cards were shown, the officials abused those who issued the ID cards to the street vendors. The 'Operation Tiger' order has come from the BJP office to the mayor."

Imthiyaz also stated, "The officials and mayor are unaware of the street vendors act and need to study it. No one has the right to snatch away the livelihood of street vendors. According to a survey conducted in 2021 in 60 wards of MCC, 1,053 street vendors were identified, and 667 ID cards have been issued to them."

"We have proposed several vending zones in places like Statebank, Central Market, and other areas with high public movement. We also demanded a smart street food zone, but MCC has not implemented these proposals," said Imthiyaz.

He further added, "Soon after the food festival, 40 street vendors emerged at Ladyhill, Mannagudda, with 17 of them possessing ID cards. The 'Operation Tiger' was conducted with the help of police and officials. Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur should be courageous enough to be present during 'Operation Tiger'."

"The operations were conducted throughout the city in areas such as Mannagudda, Ladyhill, KPT, Bikarnakatte, and many more. There has been significant opposition and protests against 'Operation Tiger.' Leaders of street vendors have protested, blocked roads, and were arrested," he said.

"Like-minded organizations will stage a protest on August 8, marching from PVS to MCC, and gherao the MCC in opposition to 'Operation Tiger'," B K Imthiyaz concluded.