CPM Rally Against Civic Issues

Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a 'rasta roko' in front of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Zonal Commissioner's office at Sardar Mahal, demanding an immediate solution to the various civic problems plaguing the Old City, on Tuesday.

The protestors, consisting of CPI and Insaf party activists, blockaded traffic for about half-an-hour, and shouted slogans against the GHMC for its failure to address the problems of overflowing drainage, pot-holes and non-functioning streetlights.

The protestors demanded that these problems should be immediately addressed, in view of the forthcoming month of Ramzan.

The protestors said that the GHMC take immediate steps to ensure that streetlights should be functional on city roads since people get up before dawn for 'Seheri' (the pre-dawn meal before the fast begins) and then venture out for the morning prayers in the dark.

They also claimed that about 25 localities have been facing an acute problem of non-functioning streetlights and overflowing drains, some of which are Riasathnagar Crossroads, Moinbagh, Habeebnagar, Fathenagar, Gowlipura, Vattepalli, Reinbazar, Yakutpura, Maddannapet and Mogulpura.

The protestors claimed that the GHMC staff is also irregular in clearing garbage, adding to the danger of the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue and swine flu.

The CPI and Insaf party activists demanded that the Zonal Commissioner immediately inspect the areas mentioned and order redressal of the problems within the next 48 hours.

The protestors then tried to submit a memorandum to the Zonal Commissioner, but were turned back as he was not present at that time. They handed the memorandum over to his deputy instead.

The protest led to traffic being thrown out of gear in the area. The traffic situation assumed a sense of normalcy only after the Moghulpura police reached the spot and dispersed the protestors.

Courtesy: INN