Agartala, February 6:
Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) MLA Jitendra Choudhuri on Friday strongly criticized the ongoing eviction drive by the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), describing it as an “unfortunate, barbaric and undemocratic” move against city vendors.
Speaking to the media, Choudhuri acknowledged the importance of urban beautification and pedestrian facilities but pointed out that Agartala’s rapid growth, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, has led to challenges such as population surges and traffic congestion. He argued that the eviction drive was heavy-handed and ignored alternative solutions.
“The Left Front government ruled for 35 years in two terms and never resorted to bulldozers or such ruthless measures,” he said. “During our tenure, markets like City Centre were developed thoughtfully, shops were rehabilitated, and new vendors were accommodated. Even the area under Umakanta Stadium was organized to provide space for 30 to 40 hawkers, ensuring livelihoods were preserved.”
Choudhuri alleged that the present administration, despite spending thousands of crores under the Smart City Mission, has failed to establish proper markets for street vendors. “Instead of creating structured spaces, they resort to eviction, and later local councillors allow vendors back after collecting money from them,” he added, criticizing the administration for lack of planning and consistency.
The Opposition leader called upon citizens to unite against what he termed “repressive policies” and urged the government to conduct detailed surveys, maintain listings of affected vendors, and provide rehabilitation in multi-facility commercial spaces. He also emphasized the need to regulate unplanned autos and tom-toms while addressing unemployment concerns.
Choudhuri’s remarks have sparked renewed debate over the balance between city development, public convenience, and the livelihoods of small vendors, highlighting tensions between municipal authorities and political opposition in Agartala.
He concluded by urging the administration to adopt humane, inclusive policies that ensure urban planning does not come at the cost of livelihoods and social justice.
