Mild tension prevails in Godavarikhani over demolition of illegal shops

Mild tension prevailed in Godavarikhani after municipal officials launched a demolition drive against illegal structures at Ganesh Chowk. Traders protested fearing loss of livelihood, prompting police deployment. The demolition continued later under police protection, officials said

Peddapalli: Mild tension prevailed in Godavarikhani when Ramagundam Municipal Corporation officials started the demolition of illegal structures. To remove illegal structures at Ganesh Chowk, municipal town planning officials took up a demolition drive on Friday.

Enraged over the incident, local traders entered into an argument with officials and staged a protest by sitting in front of the machinery deployed for demolition. Traders alleged that they would lose their livelihood if the shops were demolished all of a sudden without providing alternative arrangements.

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Coming to know about the incident, leaders of various political parties rushed to the spot, extended support to the traders and demanded that officials stop the demolition process. Officials deployed additional police force to avert any untoward incident. Reacting to the incident, municipal town planning officials informed that notices were already served to the owners as the shops were constructed illegally on government land.

As the owners failed to vacate the shops, officials started the demolition drive. After officials convinced them, the owners vacated the shops. Later, municipal officials continued the demolition drive amid police