Guard Rails Erected at Kolkata's New Market Following Hawker-Trader Tensions
In a move to calm escalating tensions, guard rails have been installed in front of gates 15 and 18 at Kolkata's historic New Market. This action comes directly in response to threats from traders who, on March 6, warned of a token strike following a violent assault on three stall workers by a group of hawkers.
Encroachment and Conflict at Market Entrances
According to local traders, gates 15 and 18 have been particularly problematic, with their entry and exit points heavily encroached upon by unauthorized hawkers. This obstruction has reportedly deterred shoppers from using these gates, negatively impacting business. The situation came to a head on March 5 when a confrontation erupted in front of gate 18, prompting immediate trader protests. Traders formed a human chain and blocked Bertram Street in a show of solidarity and frustration.
Traders Plan Post-Eid Stir for Permanent Solutions
Uday Sahoo, the general secretary of the SS Hogg Market Traders Association, has announced plans for a significant stir after the Eid festival. The primary demand is the complete removal of hawker encroachment from the carriageways surrounding the Grade I heritage structure of New Market. The association is prepared to escalate actions, including calling for a token strike and even gheraoing the New Market Police Station if necessary, to ensure their voices are heard.
Frustration with Municipal Inaction
Shopkeepers have expressed deep frustration with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's market department, citing inaction despite repeated memorandums, meetings, and pleas. In a dramatic demonstration last Friday, shopkeepers assembled at Gol Ghar, marched to the office of the market superintendent, and escorted him to the site of the recent trouble to witness the conditions firsthand.
Formal Demands and Broader Concerns
On Monday, the traders' association sent a formal letter to Municipal Commissioner and DC (Central) Indira Mukherjee, urging immediate steps to clear encroachments from key carriageways, including Bertram Street, Humayun Place, Linday Street, and Corporation Street. Ashraf Ali, joint secretary of the association, voiced the collective anger, stating, "We want our voice to reach the Mayor. We urge him to step outside and look at Bertram Street. All the market entrances are encroached. Hemmed in by hawkers, business has taken a hit. And now they are assaulting shopkeepers who have been doing business for generations."
Broader Trade Federation Involvement
The conflict has drawn attention from larger trade organizations. Taraknath Trivedi, general secretary of the Federation of Traders Organisation and a member of the Town Vending Committee, confirmed they are monitoring the situation closely. He has committed to requesting the Town Vending Committee to address the issue and take necessary actions. Furthermore, Sushil Poddar, president of the Confederation of West Bengal Traders Organisation, emphasized that the trader-hawker conflict in and around New Market will be escalated to the highest levels of the state administration to seek a lasting resolution to the crisis.
The installation of guard rails is seen as an immediate, albeit temporary, measure to pacify traders and prevent further violence. However, with plans for post-Eid protests and potential strikes, the underlying issues of encroachment and market management remain pressing concerns for Kolkata's commercial heart.
