Say, they want to continue trading activities on M G Road itself

Karwar: Police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowded merchants who launched a lightning protest against City Municipal Council opposing shifting of the shandy to the open site near KEB office here on Sunday.

Police arrested Janashakti Vedike President Madhava Nayak and Babu Sheikh who supported the merchants.

Municipal commissioner R V Jattana had ordered the shifting of market from M G Road to the site near KEB officer as per the directions of the deputy commissioner.

Trading on road had been creating inconvenience for the pedestrians as well as for vehicle movement on M G Road since many days.

Following the complaints from general public, the deputy commissioner had instructed the CMC commissioner to take action in this regard.

On Sunday, when the merchants came with vegetables, fruits and flowers to sell on the M G Road, CMC officials and police asked them to shift to the site near KEB office. Some merchants shifted to the new venue but many launched a protest in front of CMC office opposing the move.

According to the protesting merchants, the CMC had not ensured basic facilities in the new venue for the market.

The main drain passes through the new market area and stink had been creating problems, Consumers hesitate to buy vegetables in such a place. Therefore, the old market area should be continued, they said.

CPI Sharangouda V H and CMC assistant executive engineer K M Mohanraj who met the protesters tried to convince them.

But the merchants did not listen to their words but sat on a dharna.

At this stage, CPI warned them to shift immediately or face the legal action. When the merchants remained stubborn, the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse them.

MLA Satish Sail along with DySP N T Pramod Rao and CPI Sharangouda inspected the new site identified for the market.