INA market shop owners protest razing

Displaced Kashmiri pandits, who owned the shops in INA Market that were demolished on Saturday, held a protest march in front of the Market. Suhas Munshi reports.

Displaced Kashmiri pandits, who owned the shops in INA Market that were demolished on Saturday, held a protest march in front of the Market.

HT Image

The MCD had demolished 36 shops as part of the beautification process for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

"What beautification is this, which robs us of our livelihood?” said one of the protestors.

SK Bhatt, chief secretary of Kashmiri Migrants' Market Association, alleged the date was chosen to avoid any possibility of a court stay order.

He said: "First we were allotted shops near the Kidwai Nagar flyover in 1990. Then due to realignment of the flyover we were asked to move here until we were provided with permanent shops. The High Court of Delhi passed an order stating this (Kashmiri Market, INA shops) was a temporary solution."

Chandjee Shahbadi, general secretary of the Association, said: "Two of our employees were electrocuted because of the rash and negligent demolition. They are in hospital now. Who will pay for their medical expenses?"

MCD officials could not be contacted for any comment.