Street vendors launch indefinite strike
Claiming that their eviction by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has left them jobless, street vendors on Thursday began an indefinite strike.
Supported by the Beedhi Vyaaparigala Hakkottaya Andolana (BVHA), the vendors erected a marquee at the Palike head office and staged a sit-in. Holding placards and banners the protesters raised slogans against the Palike.
On July 7, 2010, the Palike with the help of police had evicted 350 vendors from Central Street and Meenakshi Koil Street in Shivaji Nagar without serving any notices. It was a major blow to those who have been doing business for nearly three-and-half decades, said Vinay Srinivasa of BVHA.
“It has become difficult for me to run the family after I was driven away from Shivajinagar area,” said Abdul Rahim, a vendor.
Jayamma, a bangle seller said, “We are not rich to rent or buy a shop in commercial complex. We will have no option but to die if the right to livelihood is snatched.”
The agitators tried to meet Mayor S K Nataraj and Palike Commissioner Siddaiah, but their efforts went in vain. They have threatened to continue their struggle till their demands are met.
This is the third time they are staging a protest. On the previous occasions, the agitators had dropped their protest following promises to look into their demands.
