Demolition of shops sparks row

The Hindu Municipal authorities pull down unauthorised shops in Amadalavalasa market on Tuesday. Photo: Basheer

Demolition of unauthorised shops in Amadalavalasa market here sparked a row on Tuesday, with the traders vehemently opposing the drive initiated by the authorities, alleging that they were not given scope for shifting their shops to other place.

The drive which began on Monday midnight amid tight police security continued till Tuesday evening. As many as 42 shops were located in Sri Poa Palamma Tali market, near the city railway station. It is learnt that the municipal authorities promised the owners to construct shops in other area, but refused to give a written assurance as the traders did not have rights over the land.

Petty traders sought permission for relocating of shops in the e-Seva complex till the construction of permanent shops was completed. Former Minister Tammineni Sitaram and other YSR Congress leaders vehemently opposed the demolition of shops in the midnight, saying that municipal authorities had misled the people that they were negotiating with the traders for an amicable solution.

Mr. Sitaram alleged that MLA Kuna Ravikumar and TDP leaders were responsible for the removal of the structures and sought that the shops were reconstructed at the earliest. YSRC leaders Chiranjeevi Nag, Dumpala Shyamalarao,G.V. AppalaNaidu and others were taken into custody on the charge that they had violated the Section 144 imposed in the area. A few traders have decided to move court, saying that they had rights over the land since they had been running business in the same locality for the last 30 years.

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Demolition of shops sparks row