The “operation demolition” launched here took a tragic turn when Sukh Dev (65) who barely made both ends meet by selling fruits and vegetables on a Rehari to feed his family, took poison on the spot when his Rehari was being removed.
His pleas not to starve him fell on deaf ears of the officials of the Nagar Parishad when he said he would commit suicide on the spot. The officials took his threat lightly. As he fell down, the panicked officials called ambulance and rushed him to the Regional Hospital where after treatment and washing his stomach he was declared out of danger.
The insensitivity of the Nagar Parishad officials and administration has sparked off widespread resentment in the town against the Government. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has also jumped into the struggle of the shelter-less and small traders and come to their rescue. The National Council member of Aam Admi, Desh Raj Sharma lashed out at the drive against poor section of traders and described it as “wrong, unjust and misconceived.”