GUWAHATI, May 6 - Welcoming the restrictions imposed by the Gauhati High Court on the Beltola market, public activist Professor Deven Dutta today said that every right-thinking person should support this order, which would ensure the smooth movement of pedestrians on the footpaths.
The High Court order has put restrictions that from now on the market will remain open from 5 am to 10 am on Thursdays and 5 am to 12 noon on Sundays.
�The arguments put forward by people opposing the court order are purely selfish in nature. The roads are for movement of vehicles, whereas the footpaths are for pedestrians. A prolonged practice of setting up market on the footpath cannot be justified. It is an illegal market, where the taxpaying citizens� legitimate right is snatched,� said Professor Dutta.
Asking the people opposing the court order enforcement by the GMC to take into account the greater interest of the people, Professor Dutta said that no market should be allowed at the public places, at the cost of inconvenience to others.
�Businessmen, customers, vendors and others opposing the court order have an option to approach the higher court, if they feel affected by it or find it unjustified in any way. On the other hand, opposing the GMC officials from implementing the court order is contempt of court,� he added.
He also asked the political parties, social organisations and citizens to demand the streamlining and face-lifting of the markets of Guwahati, keeping the convenience of all sections of people in mind.
