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Kochi Municipal Corporation shuts down four Panampilly Nagar shops

Kochi: Corporation authorities on Wednesday closed four shops operating from Panampilly Nagar in compliance with a high court verdict, which ordered the closure of commercial establishments operating from the residential area.

A team of 50 persons started the measures to close down the illegal shops around 1pm.

Seven health inspectors, 14 junior health inspectors and 28 labourers were in the team led by health supervisor Thomas Joshy. “We prepared ‘Mahassar’ regarding the violations by four shopowners. We conveyed the decision to the owners and then closed down the shops,” said Joshy.

“We also sealed two shops which were included in the violators list. Both the shops remain closed when we reached there,” he said. “Another seven firms had given intimation to the corporation office that they downed their shutters,” he said.

The high court had, on July 9, issued an order to close down the illegal shops at Panampilly Nagar. On the basis of the order, corporation secretary authorized Joshy to execute the court order on July 11.

Officials said some of the commercial establishments couldn’t be closed down due to humanitarian grounds. “In eight cases, we couldn’t execute the order as the building owners were residing in the ground floors while commercial units had been operating from the upstairs. There were aged and pregnant ladies in those buildings. So, we couldn’t close it down,” said an official with the corporation. “We have given instructions to our officials to conduct inspection at night so as to check that the inmates are genuine, and they are staying in the building even at night. We will bring the issue of to the notice of the high court and seek directives from the court on the future course of action,” he said.

Officials said action against the illegal establishments would be continued in the coming days also. “There are around 80 shops which should be closed down as per the court order. Some of them have secured stay. Now, we are taking action against 22 firms which have not secured stay on court verdict,” Joshy said.

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