Our correspondent
Kohima | February 13
Following the directives of the Directorate of Municipal Affairs, Government of Nagaland, Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) today evicted shops from the Super Market Complex in Kohima this morning.
It was reported that the last vacation order made by the government was January 20. However, on the request made by the KVYO, it was extended to February 12. Interacting with media persons KVYO vice president Peter Rutsa informed that a letter from the government was received and the organization gave verbal information to vacate the shops within a week’s time.
Accordingly with the direction of the government and seeing the interest of Kohima citizens, the KVYO started the eviction, Rutsa said. Tenants did not comply with the repeated orders and information given he said. He said the KVYO is not ‘enjoying’ the task yet the drive is purely in citizens’ interest. He said there are certain timeframes for a scheme to be implemented and the amount sanctioned for construction of the market could not expedite due to shop owners adamancy in vacating the shops. Further, the buildings are not strong and are a threat to human lives, he said. A new building will be constructed again at the earliest, it was informed.
The Directorate of Municipal Affairs wrote to the KVYO that the government has constituted an expert committee headed by a retired engineer to study existing ‘dilapidated condition’ of the buildings at super market.
The recommendation of the expert committee was that the building on the top floor leaks, and that it was a threat to human lives as well as being unfit for commercial activities. It was also mentioned that ‘disciplined tenants’ would be receiving first priority of allotment of rooms in the new building.
Tenants have their own version. An advisor of the Local Trade Union of Super Market said the state government did not show or give any positive response on their demand “to re-allocate the shops to the old tenants on completion of the building”. She said that the KVYO has nothing to do to demolish their shops as they are ‘unauthorized’ and that ‘they did not receive any formal letter/ prior information to dismantle the building.’
The disappointment of the business people was visible as they looked on at KVYO volunteers’ dismantling the shops. Some were seen with tearful eyes while others were seen arguing with the KVYO leaders. A visitor at the site was heard saying that the building was not ‘inherited by a particular person’ and therefore chances should also be given to other business people after the new construction is completed.
There was also a report from some of the tenants that the local trade union had threatened members not to vacate the shop ‘else they will not get re-allocation once the complex is reconstructed.’
Out of 135 shops, KVYO reported that 14 shops extended cooperation. The first directive from the state government was issued in the year 2006. Upon the order, reminders were also issued several times. The last order till the eviction began was issued in December 2011 ordering that the building be vacated within January 20.
