1 hr ago
Cooch Behar Wholesale Traders Begin Indefinite Strike Over Police Action
Wholesale grocery sellers in Cooch Behar have closed their shops indefinitely.
They are protesting fines issued to vehicles loading and unloading goods.
Traders say police action has made it difficult to do business.
They also say some parked two-wheelers have been fined.
Police say they are only enforcing traffic rules.
Officers say badly parked vehicles block cars and pedestrians.
The disagreement became heated near the market on Thursday.
The market is important for supplying groceries, especially before Durga Puja.
Officials may hold a meeting to try to solve the problem.
Wholesale grocery traders at Bhabaniganj Market began an indefinite strike on Thursday.
Traders accuse police of excessive fines and harassment during goods loading and unloading.
Tensions rose near Meena Kumari Chowpathi after traders and police exchanged heated words.
Police say fines target vehicles violating traffic rules or obstructing traffic and pedestrians.
Officials may arrange talks because a prolonged closure could disrupt festive-season essential-goods supplies.
- Who
- Wholesale grocery traders at Bhabaniganj Market and Cooch Behar police.
- What
- Traders called an indefinite strike over fines and alleged excessive police action involving vehicles loading and unloading goods.
- Where
- Bhabaniganj Market, near Meena Kumari Chowpathi in Cooch Behar town.
- When
- The strike began on Thursday; no specific date was provided.
- Why
- Traders seek an end to what they describe as harassment, while police say enforcement is needed to prevent traffic obstruction.
Traders' Position
Police Position
Fines and enforcement
Traders' Position
Traders describe regular fines on vehicles outside shops and warehouses as excessive police action and harassment.
Police Position
Police say fines are imposed only when vehicles violate traffic rules or obstruct movement.
Loading and unloading
Traders' Position
Traders say loading and unloading are essential to their wholesale businesses and must occur near their shops and warehouses.
Police Position
Police say vehicles involved in these activities can create congestion when they hamper traffic or pedestrian movement.
Effect of the strike
Traders' Position
BJP leader-cum-trader Pankaj Buchha said traders are facing genuine difficulties ahead of Durga Puja.
Police Position
Administrative and police sources warned that a prolonged closure could inconvenience the public and disrupt essential-goods supplies.
Key facts
- Market
- Bhabaniganj Market is Cooch Behar's largest marketplace.
- Businesses affected
- Wholesale grocery traders and businesses occupy a significant part of the market.
- Strike
- The traders' shops are closed indefinitely until the matter is resolved.
- Main complaint
- Traders say vehicles are fined during loading and unloading, and some challans are issued after photographs are taken.
- Police explanation
- Police say vehicles are fined when they violate traffic rules or obstruct vehicles and pedestrians.
- Seasonal concern
- A prolonged shutdown could affect essential-goods supplies ahead of Durga Puja.
- Possible response
- Senior administrative and police officers may hold a meeting to resolve the dispute.
Quotes
A wholesale trader
A trader at Bhabaniganj Market explaining the decision to strike
“These days, we have been facing police harassment. Our shops and warehouses are located next to each other, and we have been doing business here for decades. Loading and unloading of goods is essential for our trade. We have therefore decided to keep our businesses closed indefinitely till the problem is resolved.”
telegraphindia.com
“Ahead of the Durga Puja season, traders are facing genuine difficulties, which is why they announced an indefinite strike.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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