Shopkeepers claim their corporator threatens them

Over 150 shopkeepers from the Charminar Masjid Road in Shivaji Nagar allege that they have nowhere to turn, since even their BBMP corporator has turned them away with threats. The shopkeepers claim that after Corporator Shakeel Ahmed was elected to ward 91 over a year ago, things in their area have gone from bad to worse.


After being promised that they would be better off after a 20-foot stretch of underground drain was repaired, they agreed for the BBMP to demolish their shops over five months ago. Despite regular complaints to the corporator regarding the delay in restarting business, all they claim to have received were threats.

The monsoon season has made matters worse for them, as the water floods into their small shops and houses.

"Each of us face a loss of Rs 5,000 on a daily basis and when we approach our corporator, he threatens to set his goons on us. He is our elected leader, but is acting like a rowdy," said Zaheer Ahmed, a shopkeeper.

BBMP issued a written letter to the Shopkeeper's Association promising to rehabilitate them at the earliest. Five months down the line, these shopkeepers are knocking on the doors of elected leaders for help, but to no avail.

Aman Ulla Khan, president of the Shopkeeper's association said, "All of us have been out of business for the last five months. Even the corporator has threatened us for complaining." He added that over 3 lakh people from the area would stage a mass hunger strike, if the BBMP does not speed up work in the area.

Complaining about the slack attitude of Shakeel Ahmed, Babu Seth, a resident alleged, "He seems to be dominating all proceedings in our area. First he demolished our shops, took away our daily bread and when we protested, he made a deal with the BWSSB and stopped providing basic amenities in the area."

Residents claim that local MLA Roshan Baig has also threatened them. According to sources within the BBMP, the department had sanctioned over 5 lakhs for the quick work progress in the area. Receiving a tip off, Corporator Shakeel Ahmed was unavailable for comment and the local ward office had no clue about his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the contractor from the area, Mahesh CS blamed the rains for the slow progress of work. "This is all the BWSSB's fault. Once it rains, our work is stalled for another week. We have done the basic ground work, but if the BBMP sends the engineers to examine the area soon, we will be able to lay down the concrete," he explained.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!