Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - (JS)

Mangaluru, Mar 21: In connection to the corporation's drive which has been going on for the past 3 days against the running of illegal petty shops in the city CITU conducted a protest in front of Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) on Thursday March 19.

Speaking at the occasion Sunil Kumar Bajal, a representative of the road side vendors said, "We are all here for the atrocities done to us. All of a sudden the corporation has removed our shops. 4 years ago we were vacated the same way but we conducted a massive protest. As a result of our protest our CPIM MP's also raised the issue in parliament and an ordinance was passed for the street vendors. In 2011 they promised us that they will grant an alternative for the road side vendors.”

“According to the ordinance one-and-a-half years ago, the town vendors committee was formed consisting of nine members including the commissioner as chairman and mayor, deputy mayor, MCC opposition leaders and our representatives, and four meetings were held. A survey was also conducted.”

“They had promised to give us id cards and called us for the same when Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development came to Mangaluru to attend a programme. But they did not give us the id cards although they were lying here in the corporation.”

“When we protested 4 years back all the congress leaders joined and supported us but they have their own government. Why are they not talking now? Congress and BJP are the parties of capitalists like Ambani, Adani, Birla and others. They don't have any concern for poor people.” 

“The commissioner who has come from Vijayawada does not know anything about Mangaluru. When we asked her she said they have issued the notice as street vendors are the cause for accidents On similar lines when reminded about the big accident that occurred in Nanthoor recntly the question arises as to where are the vendors there. You are in support of the capitalists. City Center mall has its steps on the road. Why are you not taking any action against them?”

“You want to take away the bread of the poor. Their curse will on you. She also says street vendors sit 100 meters away from any circle or junction. Why have you given notice to all street vendors?" 

They also demanded that the mayor, commissioner or senior official come out and receive their memorandum. Raju Mogaveer, deputy revenue commissioner received the memorandum on behalf of the commissioner. 

Santhosh Kumar chief secretary, CITU, Yogish Jappinamogaru, president of building workers association, Jayanthi B Shetty, ex corporator of CPIM and Lingappa Nanthoor were present at the protest.