Jamshedpur, July 31: Shop-keepers of Bistupur market place are up in arms to oppose the eviction drive.

While the district administration seems determined to evacuate unauthorised shops, about 370 shop-keepers are trying to find ways to stop the drive. The shop-keepers have started mobilising supports by holding meetings.

The resenting vendors have so far held series of meetings in the marketplace, chalking out strategies to counter the administrative step.

Sources in Bistupur market said the angry shop-keepers will meet the deputy commissioner, East Singhbhum district, on Monday.

They will request him not go ahead with the anti-encroachment drive. The shop-keepers would agitate if the administration continued with its drive, said sources.

After Saturday?s demonstration against the drive, the shop-keepers are again uniting to drive away the demolition squad if it ventures into the marketplace for the second time. ?Where will we go, if our shops are razed. After all, we have been doing our business for the past 30 years,? said a shop-keeper.

Sub-divisional officer, Dhalbhum, Ganesh Prasad said the unauthorised shops will have to be demolished. He said the drive is aimed at clearing the marketplace from congestion.