Jammu, 09 August (H.S.): Over a dozen shops were demolished at the traditional Parade Sabzi Mandi in the heart of Jammu early Sunday, triggering protests from traders who alleged that the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) carried out the drive without giving them prior notice or adequate time to remove their goods and belongings.

The action is part of the JMC's plan to modernise and comprehensively redevelop the traditional vegetable market in the congested old city under a Rs 5.88-crore smart city project.

The foundation stone for the redevelopment was laid on June 22, with the project aimed at upgrading the market's infrastructure and providing a more organised and convenient environment for traders and visitors.

A squad of the JMC accompanied by police and paramilitary forces carried out the demolition drive around 7 am, raising to the ground around 20 makeshift and concrete shops, officials said.

However, the manner in which the demolition was carried out has become a major point of contention among the traders.

President of the Vegetable and Fruit Association, Parade Sabzi Mandi, Subash Chander Sharma, alleged that the authorities acted in a high-handed manner despite ongoing negotiations and repeated appeals by traders.

We were not against modernisation and are willing to cooperate with the administration, provided the market was properly rebuild, like the mandis in Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab, where there is adequate space for traders and customers.

He questioned the proposed movement space inside the redeveloped market, alleging that narrow passages of only six feet would make it extremely difficult for vegetable traders to bring their produce into the market.

These traders do not bring vegetables by the kilogram. They bring five quintals, ten quintals, one tonne or even two tonnes of produce. If you provide only a six-foot passage, how will they bring the vegetables inside the market? Sharma questioned.

The association president said the authorities should have first prepared a proper rehabilitation and relocation plan for the affected traders before undertaking demolition.

These are poor people earning Rs 400 to Rs 500 a day. They have families. Where will they go? Where will they sit and earn their livelihood? he asked.

The traders also alleged that the demolition team arrived early, when most shopkeepers were still at home and the market had not opened because of Sunday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar