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The land acquisition department of the Chandigarh administration issued a notice to shopkeepers at the Sector 53 furniture market, instructing them to demolish their shops and vacate the government land by June 28. The department clarified that any damage to materials or goods during the demolition would be the shopkeepers' responsibility, and the department would not be liable.

The land, part of village Badheri, was acquired by the Chandigarh administration in 2002. Despite shopkeepers seeking a stay on vacating the land, the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed their petitions in September 2023. The administration had compensated the original landowners, rendering the shop owners illegal occupants. According to the Land Acquisition Act, the shopkeepers must demolish the illegal structures themselves and clear the land by June 28. If they fail, the department will demolish the shops and recover the costs from the shopkeepers, who will also face legal action.

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Long-standing dispute

The furniture market, established illegally on government land around 37 years ago, consists of about 120 shops. Although the UT administration attempted to remove the shops, a stay order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1993 halted these efforts. The market has faced over a dozen fire incidents since its inception, partly due to the lack of fire safety measures, as the municipal corporation has not implemented any.

Shopkeepers argue that the administration has not relocated the market despite repeated requests, even though traders pay around ₹10 crore in GST annually. The market association has met with BJP leaders, demanding permanent shops.

Despite the market's illegal status, it has been a long-standing fixture. The administration's latest notice emphasizes the urgency of vacating the land, with clear consequences for non-compliance.

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