Tuesday’s hawker eviction drive on Park Street has brought relief to businessmen in the area but they feel it is too early to rejoice. Given the kind of backing these encroachers have — from leaders and criminals to some police officers — there is a fear that militant hawkers’ unions will hit back with vengeance.

The businessmen have reasons to fear. In fact, the hawker raj has spread its tentacles to every corner of the city — including prime areas like Park Street and BBD Bag — because of strong support from unions. And they know only too well that two Citu leaders have the last word in Park Street and its adjoining areas.

A section of hawkers claim that Abdul and Moktar of the CPM trade union wing control hawking in Park Street, Theatre Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Camac Street — with the blessing of a prominent politician of the ruling front, who is a former MLA. According to hawker Faizal Ahmed, Citu toughs give protection to the encroachers after extracting princely protection money.

The duo is the key persons behind allocating space to new hawkers on Park Street’s pavements, say sources. “From the area opposite Asiatic Society to Russell Street, more than 50 new hawkers have been given space, thanks to these Citu hawker union leaders,” an officer of Park Street police station said.

The duo, in connivance with a section of Park Street police officers, have allegedly ensured that hawkers are not disturbed in any way. At the heart of this mess is a king’s ransom — an annual turnover of over Rs 1,500 crore. The big guns and the small fries, everyone has a share of this pie.

The rate for hawkers on Park Street varies, according to the kind of business. While a hawker selling snacks will have to cough up Rs 35,000 to get 20-30 sq feet space on a Park Street pavement, the rate is slightly lower for sweet sellers. “I was charged Rs 25,000,” said Samar Kundu, who sells sweets in the area. Every hawker has to pay up, sources say. There are no considerations or concessions.

Take for example Naimul Haque, a physically challenged teenager, who wanted to open a tea stall on Theatre Road. When Naimul approached a Citu leader, he was allegedly asked to cough up Rs 20,000 in cash. But by that time, Naimul had set up his stall on a verbal assurance from another Citu leader. “When Naimul pleaded that he was not in a position to offer that much money, he was asked to move to some other place,” said a leader of another union.

That is not all. Police also want their pound of flesh from the encroachers. “Be it a simple bidi seller or the owner of a biryani stall, everyone has to satisfy the policemen’s demand,” said a hawker on Park Street. “ Each of us has to shell out Rs 300 a month,” said another.

Park Street, Theatre Road, Camac Street, Esplanade and BBD Bag are part of the Central Business District and form a vital zone for hawkers. According to an estimate given by hawkers’ unions, those in the CBD area have a monthly turnover of Rs 30 crore. “No less than 25 per cent of this amount is distributed among hawker unions and police. Besides, hawkers have to pay ‘goonda tax’ to local rowdies,” a hawker said. Those who don’t may have their stalls wrecked by the hooligans or worse.

Citu state president Shyamal Chakrabarty, however, claimed he is not aware of the alleged backing given to hawkers. “It is a local issue. Ask the Kolkata Citu leaders,” was all he said.