Roadblock against eviction drive

 

COOCH BEHAR, July 12: Members of TUCC affiliated Bengal Hawkers' Association observed roadblock programme at three different places in Cooch Behar today against the ongoing hawker eviction drive launched by Cooch Behar Municipality and district administration jointly. The BHA agitators demanded compensation to the affected hawkers and proper rehabilitation measures for them. The roadblock programme caused disruption of vehicular traffic for about two hours today. The BHA will organise a rally in front of the district magistrate's office on 7 August and submit a memorandum to the DM, a BHA spokesman said. On the next day a mass sit-in programme will also be held there.

 

Forward Bloc sources said that they would call a bandh in Cooch Behar on the same issue on 2 August.

 

On the otherhand, the hunger strike programme of SUCI affiliated Sangrami Hawkers Union turned to its third day. Twenty SHU activists are continuing their indefinite fast at Power House Choupathi demanding rehabilitation for the evicted hawkers and their right to do business on footpaths. []

  

Laldighi cleaning drive

 

COOCH BEHAR, July 12: Cooch Behar Municipality started a clean up drive at Laldighi in this town. Laldighi, the large pond dug in the days of Maharajas turned into a dirty water body. It was dug as a source of water during any incident of fire to nearby Bhavaniganj Bazar. Encroachers already grabbed large portions of its banks. At last the civic body came up to clean it. Cooch Behar Municipality sources said the banks of Laldighi would be beautified to restore its lost glory. A parking lot may up on its bank to help citizens and traders to park their vehicles, municipality sources said. []