Hawkers get temporary relief as CM Suvendu assures no evictions before Durga Puja

Hawkers have received temporary relief amid the ongoing controversy over eviction drives, with the State President of the Hawkers' Joint Action Committee claiming that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assured that no hawkers will be evicted until October, after the Durga Puja festival. The assurance reportedly followed a meeting held on Friday between the Chief Minister and representatives of the Hawkers' Joint Action Committee. The committee stated that the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds.

The state government has been carrying out eviction drives against people allegedly occupying railway and government land without authorization. Eviction notices were issued to traders and residents at various markets, railway stations, and locations beneath bridges after the BJP government assumed office in the state. During the ongoing legal proceedings, demolition drives were conducted at several railway stations, where shops were removed.

The issue of hawker evictions also reached the Calcutta High Court, which later stayed the eviction of hawkers until July 31. The Hawkers' Joint Action Committee stated that the issue of railway hawkers falls under the jurisdiction of the Central Government and requested the Chief Minister to hold discussions with the railway authorities regarding the matter.