TRADERSprotesting against the Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) sealing drive against commercial establishments operating in residential areas took to the streets on Tuesday. A large number of traders gathered near a petrol pump at New Market under the banner of the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce and marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence seeking a meeting with the Chief Minister. Police stopped the traders near Roshanpura Square by putting up barricades. Some protesters attempted to remove the barricades and move ahead, leading to a minor scuffle between the police and traders. A few protesters fell during the commotion. No injuries were reported. Traders demand meeting with Chief Minister: The traders refused to submit their memorandum to officials present at the spot and insisted on meeting the Chief Minister. They said that assurances alone would not resolve the issue and demanded an immediate halt to the sealing action being carried out by the civic body. During the protest, traders raised slogans against the government. Some protesters used plates, conches and damrus as part of their demonstration. Several traders carried banners, while one participant appeared dressed as Mahatma Gandhi. SDM accepts memorandum after four hours: The protest continued for nearly four hours before SDM Archana Sharma reached the spot and accepted the traders’ memorandum.

 

She heard their concerns and said that the Government was holding discussions on the issue and was also considering the concerns raised by traders. Sharma said that the memorandum would be forwarded to senior officials and that a decision would be taken after discussions. Traders seek relief and Master Plan: Anand Soni, President of the Bhopal Traders Federation Struggle Committee, said that traders had been forced to protest because of the sealing drive. He said that their key demands were an immediate halt to the action and implementation of the city’s Master Plan while providing relief to affected traders. Traders warn of larger protest: Bhopal Chamber of Commerce’s President Govind Goyal said that sudden action against commercial establishments that had been operating in residential areas for years was putting the livelihoods of thousands of people at risk. He warned that traders would be forced to launch a larger agitation if the sealing action was not stopped. Even after the protest ended, several traders remained dissatisfied, saying they wanted concrete action rather than assurances.