Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee launched a major protest rally in central Kolkata on Wednesday against the eviction of hawkers without rehabilitation, with former Chief Minister leading the demonstration.
The protest began in the Dharmatala area and proceeded along Lenin Sarani before culminating in a public meeting. Participants carried placards and raised slogans demanding that authorities ensure alternative arrangements for hawkers before carrying out any eviction drives.
Leading the rally, Mamata Banerjee reiterated the party's opposition to the removal of roadside vendors without a rehabilitation plan. She maintained that thousands of families depend on hawking and small-scale roadside businesses for their daily livelihood and should not be displaced without safeguards.
The rally comes amid several demolition drives, undertaken by the newly-elected Bhartiya Janata Party lead by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with the aim of removing ‘illegal constructions.
Over the last month, wave of bulldozer action took place in fragments across the city to raze allegedly illegal structures. In the first week of June, payloaders and bulldozers were rushed to Jadavpur Railway Station area to remove mostly food stalls along on railway station premises. Similar anti-encroachment drives also took place in DumDum Railway Station following the coordinated efforts of Central Forces, Bengal Police (GRP) and Kolkata Police.
Hawker eviction drive has gained momentum in the state, especially in the capital city of Bengal, with observers openly condemning the use of such methods as political tool.
This is a developing story. More updates will be shared soon.
