An eviction drive at a daily market near Ganesh Mandap in Jharpara area of Bhubaneswar triggered tension on Friday morning, prompting the State BJP unit to launch a massive protest.
A large number of BJP workers and local residents staged a road blockade at Golei Chhak near Laxmi Sagar area along Cuttack-Puri road protesting against the eviction drive.
The agitators burnt tyres and sat in the middle of the road alleging that the eviction drive was carried out of political revenge as a BJP candidate became local Corporator in the recently-concluded ULB elections.
Thousands of vehicles were stranded on the road due to the blockade following which a clash broke out between the police and the protestors.
The traders in the market also opposed the move by stating that the move was carried out within a short notice.
“We were given a notice at 9 pm yesterday and the eviction drive was carried out this morning. How could we prepare ourselves to vacate our belongings in the market within such a short period of time,” said a trader.
The traders further alleged that the eviction drive is out of political revenge as a BJP candidate became local Corporator in the recently concluded ULB elections.
As per reports, tension is currently gripping the area following the eviction drive by BMC in presence of security personnel.
“I had a chicken center at the daily market. We had lost our livelihood since last two years due to the pandemic. Somehow, we had managed to revive and make our ends meet as the pandemic receded. Now, they have destroyed my shop. I am a poor woman and I have to feed my family. I am helpless now. I don’t understand what I will do now after the destruction of my shop,” said a woman.
Meanwhile, BJP has termed the eviction drive as an inhuman act.
“It is a political revenge. Carrying on the eviction drive within a short notice is not acceptable. If the government is not able to provide livelihood to the people, they have no right to destroy the source of income of people,” said BJP leader Suniti Mund.
(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)