Chaos prevails as CCP attempts to demolish Ashtami fair stalls

Team Herald

PANJIM: Chaos prevailed along the banks of the river Mandovi at Panjim, when Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP workers) arrived there on Wednesday afternoon to remove the stalls, which were installed as a part of the Ashtami fair that commences ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. As vendors protested, CCP gave them 24 hours to vacate the Panjim promenade. 

When CCP workers arrived to demolish the stalls, vendors tried to stop the demolition arguing that they had paid fees to CCP. Some of them even flashed fee receipts to the demolition squad. “We have been preparing for the exhibition for the last 15 days, after taking prior permission from CCP. How can they suddenly decide to cancel it,” questioned an angry vendor, supported by a large group of other vendors. 

CCP defended its action and cited High Court directions against holding such fairs. The corporation had sought police protection to carry out the demolition. 

A meeting was thereafter convened and the vendors given 24 hours to vacate the promenade. “There is High Court petition/direction against holding such exhibitions in the capital. We have given the vendors 24 hours deadline, which means they should remove all the stalls by 2pm on Thursday. They have agreed to do so, but if they fail we will once again carry out the demolition drive,” Commissioner Deepak Desai told Herald. 

He said CCP will refund the fee paid towards setting up the temporary stalls along the stretch. 

Earlier, in a meeting with the Collector and District police, CCP had pointed out to encroachments by the stall owners, including furniture and other stalls at the promenade, without valid permission from CCP. “It is also encroached on area reserved for parking of election vehicles,” states the letter to the Collector seeking police protection to prevent any untoward incident during the drive. 

“Petition is also filed in the high court by one citizen against the erection of stalls on footpath. It is decided to remove/demolish all such structures, stalls which are on footpath, promenade, today (August 16),” the letter signed by Desai further read.