Indian Express 07.06.2010
Naroda traders protest demolition of shops
Express News Service Tags : protest, encroachment Posted: Mon Jun 07 2010, 02:16 hrs
Ahmedabad: A group of around 50 traders from the Naroda Patiya area staged a demonstration in front of the official residence of Municipal Commissioner I P Gautam on Sunday morning to oppose the demolition of their shops on the BRTS route. The Navrangpura police detained 10 people who were later released on bail. Gautam was not present at the time of the incident.The traders were demanding alternative arrangement for their shops — demolished to widen the existing100-foot road to pave way for the BRTS corridor. They had earlier approached the High Court which directed them to go to a lower court. With AMC continuing with the demolition, the traders approached the sessions court on June 3.
The hearing was fixed for June 16, but the court did not grant stay on the demolition. On June 4 and 5, 140 shops were razed, and another 50 were razed on Sunday.
East zone Dy Municipal Commissioner Dilipkumar Mahajan said the demolitions were carried out today since no stay was given. His north zone counterpart S K Langa was unavailable. The traders have planned to go to Gandhinagar to draw attention of the government toward their rights.
