Protestors who closed meat shops in Gurgaon ‘warned’ not to do so

Officials called the party members to the police commissionerate on Thursday to discuss the matter after fear spread among meat sellers

The police on Thursday met the group of people alleged to have forced meat shops in Gurgaon to down shutters and warned them against repeating such activities. Group members, who claim to be part of the Shiv Sena, however said they never forced anyone to close their shops and the owners shut shop to respect religious sentiments during Navratra.

Closed shops at Jacobpura meat market on Friday after members of the Shiv Sena allegedly forced them to down shutters due to Navratras.(Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Police officials called the group to the police commissionrate on Thursday to discuss the matter after meat sellers in Sadar Bazaar and other parts of the city felt threatened.

The group is said to have got more than 300 meat shops closed in Sadar Bazaar, sectors 7, 9, 14, and Palam Vihar near Old Gurgaon road on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, they turned on the shops on the other side of the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway in DLF, Sushant Lok, Sohna Road and Badshahpur areas.

A KFC outlet in Sector 14, forcibly shut down by protestors, reopened on Wednesday afternoon under police protection.

On Thursday, intelligence officials of Gurgaon police called Ritu Raj, Gurgaon spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, and questioned him about the activities that led to closure of meat shops.

While police officials refused to comment on the meeting, Raj said police told him that some people were trying to create disharmony by forcibly closing shops in Shiv Sena’s name.

“We met some meat shop owners on Tuesday and requested them to close their shops. It was because of religious sentiments for Navratra festival. We did not force anyone to down shutters. We have requested the police to initiate action against those misusing Sena’s name and trying to create disharmony,” said Raj.

Personnel at City police station had also called Raj on Wednesday after meat sellers of Jama Masjid market in Sadar Bazaar lodged a complaint with the police.

“We were asked not to open shops during Navratra and on Tuesdays. We lodged a complaint fearing for the security of our employees,” said Mohammad Tahir, president, Jama Masjid market committee.

Vikram Nehra, station house officer (SHO), City police station, said he questioned Raj and some Sena members regarding the incident. “We warned them not to resort to such tactics. They agreed not to repeat them,” said Nehra.