STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: In a breather to the owners of several street-side vendors along the MS Road in the city's prime commercial hub of Fancy Bazar, the Gauhati High Court has directed status quo with regards to the eviction drive at the site by the GMC (Gauhati Municipal Corporation).
The next hearing on the matter is on April 27, 2021. "Till the next date fixed, status quo in respect of possession of the land shall be maintained by both the parties to the writ petition; and on the other hand, no vendor shall be allowed to carry out business till then", added the Court.
Following the eviction drive started by GMC on April 12, a writ petition — WP(C) – was filed by the 'Guwahati Zilla Thalua Sak Pasali Byabassyee Sanstha', and its president Biren Kalita and assistant secretary Rana Das.
The petitioners represent the vegetable-and-fruit vendors, who run their businesses on the land situated on the south side of MS Road. This site is contiguous to the northern wall of the earlier Guwahati Jail situated in the area.
The petitioners have been demanding a permanent settlement in respect of the land. A contempt proceeding was also initiated against the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M) and the Commissioner, GMC and others. The Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M) filed his affidavit in the contempt proceeding wherein, a specific mention was made that a direction was given to the Circle Officer, Guwahati Revenue Circle and Azara Revenue Circle to identify necessary land for settlement of the members of the petitioners.
Surprisingly at around 5 am on April 12, 2021, officials from the GMC without serving any notice to the members of the petitioners illegally evicted them from the land. The petitioners alleged in the writ petition that while carrying out such eviction operation, goods of substantial worth were also taken away causing substantial loss to them. The petitioners filed a representation/complaint before the Deputy Commissioner on April 12, 2021 and subsequently lodged an FIR before the In-Charge of Fancy Bazar Police Outpost which was subsequently registered as Panbazar P.S. Case No.207/2021 under Sections 325/34 IPC.