Street vendors protest against Karwar City Council’s action

By The News Observer Desk
Karwar: In response to the sudden removal of some street vegetable stalls in the city, street vendors expressed strong outrage at the Karwar City Council premises on Monday. Despite vendors being continuously charged fees, their shops were cleared without any prior notice, and they were instructed to relocate near the swimming pool on M.G. Road, which they strongly objected to.

Participants in the protest questioned, “Who will be responsible if we incur losses due to lack of business there?” Many women from rural areas of Ankola, along with Karwar, sustain their families through grocery trade. People who have been doing business for years in Gandhi Market, Savita Circle, and Shivaji Circle are facing severe difficulties.

One angry vendor stated, ‘What should we do if our very livelihood is taken away in the name of development?’ Fakirappa Bhandari, the district president of the street vendors’ association, along with Jeevana Pokale, Mangala Waddar, Sharada, Suvarna, Yamuna, and others participated in the protest.

The protesters demanded that the city council reconsider its decision and provide alternative arrangements for the vendors.