Agartala: Feb 27: In a recent statement, CPM Politburo member and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar strongly criticized the eviction operation carried out by the Agartala Municipal Corporation at Lake Chowmuhani Market. Sarkar, who visited the affected market, described the move as “inhumane” and unjust, particularly because it involved bulldozing the shops of traders without prior consultation or arrangements for rehabilitation. He met with the evicted traders and learned that many of them belong to poor and lower-middle-class families, relying on daily wage labor to support their livelihoods.
Sarkar emphasized that the government’s actions reflect a lack of empathy for the working class. The traders, according to him, do not have alternative means of earning a living, and this eviction would severely impact their ability to provide for their families. In his view, even if the government had plans for development in the area, demolishing shops without any provisions for the affected individuals is not acceptable.
The former Chief Minister argued that any such eviction should be preceded by discussions with the affected parties to explore ways to minimize the negative impact on their lives. He further criticized the BJP-led government for not making any efforts to rehabilitate the traders or come up with a fair solution before taking such drastic action. Sarkar accused the BJP government of being completely devoid of humanity, as they had not shown the basic concern for the welfare of the people. His remarks highlight the growing discontent among opposition parties over the government’s approach to development, which they claim disregards the welfare of ordinary citizens.
