Tensions rise as corp evicts traders, demolishes shops

T'puram: Tensions rose at the century-old Connemara Market at Palayam where corporation staff evicted traders and demolished about 25 shops with the help of a large police force on Tuesday.
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According to the traders, corporation staff threw out articles from the shops. The owners shut their shops and raised slogans against the civic authorities for demolishing operational shops without ensuring proper rehabilitation.
Corporation's move is part of a Rs 55-crore redevelopment project under Smart City Mission to modernise the market's infrastructure. However, traders allege that the demolition violates the high court order mandating adequate safety and infrastructure at temporary resettlement sites before any eviction.
"We resisted corporation's attempt. As there were 200 policemen we couldn't oppose it, and they demolished the shops. It is a cruel act by the corporation. However, we will approach the court again. We won't move into the new facility," said Palayam Connemara Merchants Association secretary Rajas J.
The merchants' association organised a shutdown of all shops and led a march, joined by families and supporters, to the corporation office.
The corporation, along with Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida), constructed a temporary facility behind the existing market to house vendors during the redevelopment. These consist of three prefabricated blocks, designed to accommodate up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors. However, several traders claim they haven't been allotted their new spaces yet.
Traders are firm in their refusal to relocate until all safety and infrastructure concerns are addressed.
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According to a senior official, the corporation has to complete acquisition proceedings. "Though we issued directives several times, they didn't relocate. Hence, we had to do it forcefully. However, all traders will be rehabilitated properly," he said.
Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president and national secretary S S Manoj strongly condemned city corporation's move. He called the act inhumane and lawless, saying only those devoid of empathy and legal respect could execute such an operation.
Despite assurances to the court and traders, four police vehicles accompanied by corporation-appointed workers arrived to raze operating shops without ensuring safe relocation, he said.
This was the final attempt to forcefully evict traders into a new building that neither meets safety standards nor complies with court-ordered conditions, Manoj alleged.
Using forged affidavits to mislead courts and compromising the safety of traders and consumers is completely unacceptable, he added.

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