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Yameen Vikat, Thakurdwara. The ‘war’ that broke out between the Municipal Council and bullion traders in Thakurdwara has now taken a new turn. After the Municipality Chairman termed the allegations of extortion as baseless, now the victimized traders have hit back and termed it as disobedience to the orders of the High Court. Bullion traders Avneesh Singhal and Sanjay Singhal clarified that the decision to cancel the illegal allotment from the place where the municipal administration is trying to forcefully install tin kiosks had already been taken two decades ago.

Traders alleged that Municipality Chairman Irfan Saifi was misusing his position. In fact, the traders claim that when the extortion demand of ₹ 50,00,000 was not met, an attempt was made through the employees and supporters of the municipality to forcibly block the way by placing tin kiosks in front of their shops. According to traders, this entire exercise is being done only to create pressure for illegal recovery.

Reference was made to the High Court and the 2005 board meeting.

Giving a legal form to this dispute, the bullion traders said that the two kiosks in front of their shop located in front of the Kotwali gate, which the municipality is today claiming as its property, were declared illegal in the year 2005 itself and were removed. Traders claim that this decision was taken on the orders of the Honorable High Court in the board meeting held in the presence of the then Municipality President and Executive Officer Manzoor Ahmed Khan.

Citing the records, it was told that at that time the then members Shamim Chaudhary, Mazhar Alvi, and other members of the House including Haji Ahmed Ali Qureshi had unanimously canceled the allocation of kiosks. Traders say that the building map was approved there only after the writ petition was rejected by the High Court. In such a situation, keeping kiosks there again is a direct contempt of court.

“Abuse of power if extortion is not received”

The traders have a direct allegation that the current Municipality Chairman Irfan Saifi is acting arbitrarily to vent out his frustration over his failed recovery. Traders said that the land which the municipal administration is talking about in public interest by calling it municipal property in its press release has actually become a tool to harass the traders.

It is being told that during this dispute, the municipal employees worked disregarding the law. Traders say that despite clear orders of the High Court, this step of the municipal administration is not only illegal, but is also an attempt to harm the image of a reputed businessman.

What is the path of the future?

At present, this matter has completely turned into a battle of documents. While on one hand the Municipal Council has accused the businessman of illegal possession, claiming it to be his property, on the other hand the businessmen have opened the files of old board meetings and High Court decisions.