THE KANPUR Udyog Vyapar Mandal’s bandh call today received an unprecedented response from traders despite police and Samajwadi Party leaders making sustained efforts to get the shops open. Barring a few, almost all commercial establishments and shops remained close in support of the bandh observed to protest the growing incidents of crime in the city.
The bandh passed off by and large peacefully. However, the situation turned volatile when office-bearers of the Samajwadi Party (SP) including its district general secretary Jitendra Bahadur Singh tried to forcibly get the shops opened at Naveen Market. After the intervention of Bharatiya Janata Party (MLA) Salil Bishnoi, the matter was resolved and the traders stuck to their decision of keeping their shops closed.
Role of the district police once again came under scanner especially in southern parts of the city. Juhi police station inspector Lakshman Rai got the shops forcibly opened at Baradevi Crossing despite the fact that Tuesday was also a weekly off day for the local market in the area.
Earlier, members of Vyapar Mandal led by national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal Shyam Behari Mishra started assembling at Shikshak Park. Traders from all parts of the city started gathering at the park since morning. A large contingent of police force was also present to ward of any untoward incident.
At 1 pm the procession started amidst shouting of slogans against the police and the district administrations. At the Bada Chauraha, traders of the bullion market also joined the procession. All through the procession, traders vented their ire against the police and district administration by shouting slogans against them. The procession then reached Collectorate, where, it culminated into a public meeting. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, former MP Shyam Behari Mishra held the district administration responsible for the killing of the traders at Yashodanagar under Naubasta police station on Friday last. SSP PC Meena’s statement that security cannot be provided at each and every household also came in for strong criticism from Mishra.
{{/usCountry}}At 1 pm the procession started amidst shouting of slogans against the police and the district administrations. At the Bada Chauraha, traders of the bullion market also joined the procession. All through the procession, traders vented their ire against the police and district administration by shouting slogans against them. The procession then reached Collectorate, where, it culminated into a public meeting. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, former MP Shyam Behari Mishra held the district administration responsible for the killing of the traders at Yashodanagar under Naubasta police station on Friday last. SSP PC Meena’s statement that security cannot be provided at each and every household also came in for strong criticism from Mishra.
{{/usCountry}}He also demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the kin of those killed by dacoits at Yashodanagar. Mishra also demanded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for those injured in the dacoity. Traders also demanded deployment of capable police officials at prominent police stations. Bullion trader and national treasurer of the VHP Ram Nath Mahendra also addressed the gathering and accused the administration for the deteriorating law and order situation.