Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 27: Nine BJP MLAs today stood in support of shopkeepers at Nai Basti market, demanding that the Government halt eviction notices and ensure proper rehabilitation before any demolition under the Express Highway extension project.
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The shopkeepers, who have received fresh eviction notices, said they were promised relocation to Chanderbhaga before being asked to vacate their shops but that didn’t happen.
The BJP leaders called the administration’s move “unfair” and a breach of earlier assurances.
The protesting BJP leaders included Dr Narinder Singh, Sham Lal Sharma, Yudhvir Sethi, Arvind Gupta, Prof Gharu Ram Bhagat, Choudhary Vikram Randhawa, Mohan Lal, Dr Rajeev Bhagat, and Surinder Bhagat. They were also joined by senior party members and affected shopkeepers.
Dr Narinder Singh said the eviction notice was served without warning and described it as a blow to small traders.
“This is not just unjust, but a clear violation of trust. The traders were promised relocation before any action. That must be fulfilled,” he said.
He added that the BJP had raised this issue earlier in the J&K Assembly and that he had personally attended meetings with officials, including the Divisional Commissioner, where assurances were given.
“All BJP MLAs stand united with the shopkeepers. The eviction notice must be withdrawn, and commercial plots at Chanderbhaga be allotted before any move,” Dr Singh said.
Sham Lal Sharma said development should not come at the cost of livelihoods. “The administration must honour its word,” he added.
Yudhvir Sethi called on the NC-led Government to act responsibly. “People must be treated with dignity. The shopkeepers must be relocated first,” he said.
The BJP leaders assured the traders of full support and vowed to continue raising the issue until justice is done.
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