Silvester D' Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, May 7: The petty shop owners threatened to jump in the sea and commit suicide on Monday May 7 after sub divisional officer led team came forward to demolish nearly 28 petty shops on Trasi-Maravanthe sea side near national highway 66.

The notice of demolition was released on Saturday evening, May 5. As none of the shop keepers vacated their shops, the officers of different departments came with JCB with police security to demolish them. The petty shop keepers opposed the demolition drive and some of the protesters lied down in between the JCB and the shops disrupting the operation. Local people who condemned the action took the officials to task. Though police dispersed them, the locals continued to oppose the operation.

The protesters even threatened to commit suicide by jumping into sea water. However they were convinced after the sub divisional officer asked them to voluntarily vacate the shops and suspend the operation till Monday evening. The shop keepers said that they do not oppose vacating the shops. “But a day's time limit is not enough as we depend solely on the shops for their living. Give us a time of fifteen days at least,” they requested.

The sub divisional officer denied to extend the deadline and insisted that the shops be vacated by Monday evening failing which the department will vacate them. “Cases will be registered against those who attempt to commit suicide opposing the move. An alternative arrangement will be made in the land belonging to department of tourism for the petty shops nearly the national highway,” he warned.

The shop owners started vacating the shops after assurance from the officer. Meanwhile Norbert, a differently abled person opposed to vacate and the officers came forward to demolish the shop with JCB. They however went away after assurance by the locals about the vacating.

Sub divisional officer Bhoobalan, speaking to news reporters said that the shops on Trasi-Maravanthe sea side have been asked to vacate since last three years. “But nobody vacated them. As huge vehicles are parked beside national highway, accidents are increasing. National highway has become four lane and several projects from the department of tourism are to be implemented. Therefore, vacating of the petty shops is inevitable. Suitable alternative arrangement will be made by the department for them,” he said.

Tourism department officer Anitha said that Rs 1.36 crores is approved for the development of Trasi-Maravanthe sea shore. “Parking facilities and other basic facilities for tourists will be provided in 1.1 acres department land near Maravanthe temple and near Trasi tourist bungalow. Rs 21 lacs are made available for Marine drive. The department has taken action to construct Food Park. Several projects will be taken up to give a thrust to coastal tourism in Trasi-Maravanthe sea shore,” she said.

Byndoor tahsildar Purandar Hegde, national highway department GM Raghunath Acharya, Byndoor Police circle inspector Parameshwar Gunaga, national highway four lane contracting company IRBA engineer Yogendrappa, zilla panchayat member Shobha G Putran and others were present.

Tajashekar Kundar, a petty shop owner said that he is earning his living in the petty shop for the last 13 years. “The department has issued a notice on Saturday and come to demolish the petty shops this morning. The action is condemnable. We are being thrown on the streets. We strongly oppose the action of the department where we are earning our daily bread,” he said.

Shekar Poojary another shop keeper said that they do not oppose the drive. “But the sudden action is condemnable. We are worried what we can do for our living in the future. Demolition of shops without showing sympathy and without grace period is unfair.”