Agartala, Dec 12 (TIWN): Over 150 evicted roadside hawkers of Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC) staged a protest demanding impartial rehabilitation at the heart of the capital city- Battala, here today.

The state convener (in-charge) of INTTUC- Biplab Kar alleged that the task Force of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and administration allow some roadside hawkers of ruling front at Paradise Chowmohani, Post Office Chowmohani and other places in the capital to continue their business.

“We would like to settle the issue through discussion and we will move for massive protest, sit-in-demonstration and hunger strike if our demands remain unfulfilled”, said Kar.

It is worthy to mention here; Task AMC and Tripura Police jointly staged an eviction drive at Battala on December 10. During the drive, around 50 hawkers were evicted affecting over 100 people depending on these shops from the both road sides at Battala. The eviction drive was carried out in the both road sides of Battala including Joynagar road no-1.

After being evicted from the roadside, the hawkers of Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC) had also staged a protest and organized road blockade for a long time seeking rehabilitation the same day at Battala. Over 30 INTTUC protesters were arrested in this regard and later, they were released.

According to the AMC Task Force, the roadside hawkers were directed for several times for not to sell products on roadsides by capturing footpaths illegally. Earlier, many such eviction drives were conducted in the same area. But paying no attention, the hawkers have been continuing to sell products on roadsides illegally.