Andhra Pradesh: GVMC Drive To Remove Hawkers Fails Despite HC Order
Petitioners to file contempt case against civic commissioner today
Visakhapatnam: An attempt by the GVMC town planning department on Sunday to remove hawkers from Pithapuram Colony adjacent to National Highway has failed.
The civic body made the attempt on the basis of a high court order, but Telugu Desam activists a GVMC town planning departmentrived on the scene in strength and backed the hawkers.
Residents of Pithapuram Colony and Jana Sena corporator Murthy Yadav had filed a petition in the high court, citing the GVMC’s failure to remove the hawkers on either side of the road. Their activities were obstructing the traffic throughout the day, the court was told.
Following this, the high court on May 10 directed the officials to consider the residents’ petition and remove the encroachments. However, the implementation of the order was held back as the elections were approaching.
On Saturday, the town planning personnel along with police backing descended in Pithapuram Colony with heavy earth moving machines. The hawkers resisted this with the support of local political leaders. The GVMC personnel made a quick retreat. A strong presence of Telugu Desam workers helped the hawkers gain the upper hand.
Murthy Yadav said a hawker zone had been created in the same colony adjacent to the highway but the traders refused to move in there. “Tomorrow we are filing a contempt petition against the GVMC commissioner for the civic body’s failure to implement the order,’’ Yadav told DC.
A GVMC official said they feared law and order problems and hence stopped the action against the hawkers. “We will take more policemen and implement the high court order at a later date.’’ Some 70 cops were present when the civic drive was initiated on Saturday.
Activists condemned the negligence of the GVMC in creating hawker zones all over the city. Hawkers were often removed when major events took place in the city. As per Street Vendors Act, 2014, the GVMC cannot remove the hawkers without providing them an alternative site, the activists stressed.