Fulbari, 31st January: Tension flared in Fulbari as the traders were disconcerted over the positioning of the ‘Notun Haat’ located near a helipad in the Purba Dhantala area. Vendors and traders have emerged voicing their objections when removed from the spot to resume operating the market.
It is to be noted that the market has been operated on the land next to a helipad adjacent to the ESI Hospital while the Uttar Kanya is situated at a nearby distance. For years, the market was operated on every Wednesday and Sunday. On January 24, the administration pulled down the market before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visit to North Bengal. The officials had mentioned that the market had been operating on government property without valid documentation and was hence removed.
However, on Wednesday, the vendors and traders moved back to the original location to resume business when the matter escalated. Upon receiving the information, the NJP police immediately arrived at the location and assured the agitated traders. Meanwhile, the vendors of the market objected to being removed from the area to operate their business.
The traders stated that for 10-15 years about 500 traders arrived from different places to trade in the Haat. However, when the administration asserted that the market would be set up in another place, they voluntarily removed the haat. On this day, when the traders arrived to resume operations they were not allowed to set up the haat. In this regard, the traders demanded a suitable repositioning of the haat within seven days. They further cautioned that if their demands were not met then they would resort to a larger agitation in response.