Srivarimettu vendors protest anti-social elements fleecing traders in Tirupati

Tirupati: The vendors eking livelihood selling various items required for the pilgrims in the Srivarimettu footpath staged a dharna on Wednesday, demanding police and TTD authorities take stern action on the anti-social elements fleecing the vendors.

The vendors unable to bear the anti-social elements, who they said pretending as YSRCP activists stepped up their harassments demanding money daily from the vendors forcing them taking to streets along with their families under the banner of CITU protesting the apathy of TTD authorities more so the vigilance and security wing in reigning the anti-social elements.

CITU district general secretary and Srivarimettu Vendors Association honorary president K Murali said that about 50 vendors located all along the Srivarimettu to Tirumala Hills making livelihood by selling various items required for the pilgrims going to Tirumala through the footpath. Some local hooligans few of them having shops in Srivarimettu area started fleecing the vendors demanding daily mamools.

Despite complaint the TTD authorities failed to take action, forcing the vendors resorting to protest, he said warning that the vendors launch relay hunger strike before TTD administrative office, Tirupati, if no action taken in five days to end the harassment of vendors.

Alleging that in Alipiri area also some hooligans claiming the backing of ruling party leaders fleecing vendors, Murali said CITU leaders will meet TTD new chairman YV Subba Reddy on the issue to ensure peace in Alipiri and Srivarimettu footpath areas.

CITU activists and leaders including TTD Contract Employees Union general secretary Subramanayam CPM supported Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham district secretary V Nagaraju and others from Tirupati and other areas joined in the protest supporting the vendors and their families in the dharna.