‘Islam’ party supporters objects to removal of handcarts

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A large number of handcarts have been set up on major roads in the old city during Ramzan, leading to severe traffic congestion. The municipal corporation’s anti-encroachment squad, along with the Nagarik Mitra Pathak (NMP), has been carrying out action against these encroachments. On Friday, local supporters of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (Islam) party met mayor Sameer Rajurkar and requested that action against the handcarts be halted.

The municipal corporation observed that traders have expressed distress over the obstruction caused by these handcarts, which also contribute significantly to traffic snarls. Hence, the civic administration initiated the drive with a primary objective to ensure smooth traffic flow.

On Thursday and Friday, when NMP reached certain areas to carry out action, they reportedly faced resistance. In the Buddhi Lane area, corporators from AIMIM opposed the drive, and videos of the protests were recorded. As per regulations, sitting corporators are not permitted to obstruct anti-encroachment drives, and doing so could even result in disqualification.

On Friday, Islam party’s local representatives including Rafat Yar Khan and Aref Husaini, along with some former corporators, met the mayor and urged that the action be stopped. The mayor informed the delegation that traders in areas such as Gulmandi, City Chowk and Shahganj pay monthly rents ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1 lakh and also pay property tax to the corporation. He said the situation has become such that customers are unable to even step into the shops due to the handcarts, and appealed to the delegation not to oppose the drive.

Foreign visitor unable to reach Shahganj

The mayor also told the delegation that a visitor from Japan had come to the city on Thursday and wished to see the historic mosque at Shahganj. However, due to traffic congestion, the visitor was unable to reach the site. This is unfortunate for the city, said the mayor.