Shops at INA market demolished

Shops belonging to displaced Kashmiris at a popular south Delhi market have been demolished by authorities as part of a beautification drive for the Commonwealth Games.

Shops belonging to displaced Kashmiris at a popular south Delhi market have been demolished by authorities as part of a beautification drive for the Commonwealth Games.

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The 36 shops, located at the INA market here were, demolished on Saturday and the shopkeepers alleged that they
were not served prior notices before the exercise was carried out.

"No notice was given to us by the MCD. All 36 shops which were our only source of income have been demolished," S K Bhat, a shopkeeper alleged.

"A beautification drive is being carried out by the authorities and the Delhi government around the Thyagraj stadium here. Our shops are far away from this Commonwealth Games venue..despite this fact our shops were razed," Chandji Shahbazi, another shopkeeper said.

The shopkeepers, after being displaced from Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of militancy in 1990, started their business at this place in 2001.

"I feel betrayed again after being treated the same way in Kashmir in the wake of militancy in our state. We will appeal to the Lieutenant Governor regarding this illegal demolition," Shahbazi said.

Officials, however, were unavailable for comments.