JMC Demolishes 20 Shops At Satwari; Traders Allege No Prior Notice

JAMMU, Sept 10: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Thursday demolished around 20 shops at Satwari Chowk, triggering protests from affected shopkeepers who alleged that the decades-old commercial establishments were removed without prior notice or adequate information.

The affected traders claimed that the shops had been operating at the site for nearly 50 years and that they had regularly paid monthly rent to the municipal authorities.

The shopkeepers alleged that the demolition left them with little time to remove their belongings or make alternative arrangements, adding that no adequate notice or information was provided before the action.

The demolition comes amid the long-pending issue of rehabilitation of shopkeepers affected by development works in the Satwari area. The UT Cabinet had earlier approved a rehabilitation and resettlement scheme for shopkeepers and open-space kiosks affected by road widening at Nai Basti and Satwari Chowk.

A JMC official, however, said the affected shopkeepers would be relocated to another site within six months.

The assurance failed to pacify the traders, who termed it a “white lie” and said similar assurances of rehabilitation had been given in the past, but they continued to face uncertainty over their livelihood.

The issue has repeatedly been raised by traders’ bodies. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry had earlier stated that the affected shopkeepers were paying rent to the municipal authorities and had sought alternate sites and rehabilitation. (Agencies)