Udupi: The officials of Udupi city municipal council (CMC) on Wednesday September 9 tried to forcibly evict a street vendor near KSRTC bus stand, but were stopped by the public who protested against the sudden move.
CMC commissioner Manjunathayya along with his officials tried to evict Kanakaraj, a fruit vendor who has been doing business here for the past 14 years. It is learnt that the eviction drive was conducted without any prior warning or notice.
Seeing the officials forcibly evict Kanakaraj and destroy his cart and fruits, the public gathered at the spot and protested against the officials.
They said that illegal buildings are allowed to come up. However a poor man cannot work for his living. They asked him to first stop the illegal buildings and then take on poor vendor.
As per the central government order, the street vendors are supposed to be given badges and they should also pay Rs 20 per day as tax to the CMC. Despite this, they are being targetted and harassed, the people said.
Bowing to public pressure, the officials went back without completing the eviction.
