Mangaluru: A day before Sri Krishna Janmashtami, street flower vendors in the city held a flash protest after Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) authorities commenced a drive to vacate footpath vendors on Thursday. A large number of sellers from various districts of the state had arrived with truckloads of flowers ahead of Janmashtami festival. When many of them began selling flowers near the Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall in the city, the MCC authorities arrived by truck and seized flowers from some of them. In the meantime, an altercation broke out between the authorities and the traders. Following this, officials left the venue, discontinuing the drive.BK Imtiyaz, honorary president of the Dakshina Kannada District Street Vendors Association (CITU), said that the eviction operation against flower vendors was an attack on people’s right to celebrate. “The city corporation’s raid today against farmers and flower vendors who come from outer districts to trade in the city during special festival days, including Krishna Janmshtami, based on complaints from some vested interests, is a condemnable act,” he said.“Flowers brought by farmers from several districts, including Hassan and Mandya, during festivals are used for puja. Since the farmers themselves come for direct sales, people also get to buy flowers at lower prices. Targeting only business interests in the sale of flowers or puja materials during special occasions like festivals is suppressing the sentiments and the right of the people to celebrate,” he said.MCC warns illegal vendorsThe MCC authorities stated that a drive was conducted against street vendors who were conducting business by illegally encroaching on footpaths in Hampankatta and surrounding areas. Street vendors who were conducting business by illegally encroaching on footpaths in a manner that hindered the smooth movement of pedestrians were evicted from the spot, they claimed. Officials clarified that any kind of illegal encroachment will not be tolerated, as footpaths are reserved for the safe and smooth movement of the public, especially pedestrians. During the operation, the encroached area was cleared, allowing the public to use the footpath. Meanwhile, street vendors were warned that strict legal action will be taken, without any leniency, if they are found conducting business by illegally encroaching on footpaths in the coming days, the MCC stated in a release.
