Tension Erupts As Protesters Block Eviction Drive In Cuttack

Cuttack: Palpable tension prevailed in the Millennium City On Wednesday as slum dwellers and vendors blocked road during the eviction drive for road expansion project by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).

According to reports, CMC has been conducting eviction for the road expansion project from Golei Chhak to Nimpur cricket ground. Today people from various nearby localities and vendors who earn a livelihood through roadside business blocked the main road raising slogans against CMC authorities. They allege that the road expansion will hit them rock bottom by snatching away their life and livelihood source.

"Without prior rehabilitation and resettlement of the vending zones, CMC is acting inhumanely by acquiring our generations-old land," rued a shop vendor.

Another shopkeeper alleged, "CMC had compensated vendors during the eviction drive in the Cuttack city earlier. They were also allotted land in the vending zone for the same. Why are the CMC authorities not listening to our demands?"

Soon after the incident, some CMC officials reached the spot and assured the protesting vendors to allot them land for vending zone. Later after a discussion, the protestors agreed to their proposals and withdrew their agitation to make way for eviction drive.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)