Tension At Bhubaneswar Market Building Following Faceoff Between Shopkeepers & Street Vendors

Bhubaneswar: Tension prevailed at Unit II Market Building area in Bhubaneswar after a fresh faceoff between street vendors and permanent shopkeepers on Wednesday. Skirmishes erupted when some of the street vendors allegedly tried to resume their business in the complex.

According to sources, trouble started when the street vendors were opposed by the Central Market Building Association members. On being informed, a team of police personnel rushed to the spot and held discussions with the shopkeepers and vendors.

Faceoff between the makeshift vendors and permanent shopkeepers had also taken place at the Market Building area in the state capital.

It may be noted here that the Market Building had reopened only on August 3 after remaining closed for 18 days and the permanent shopkeepers had shut their outlets demanding eviction of the street vendors from the complex. The Market Building Association has been alleging encroachment by the makeshift vendors.

The association had launched a stir and closed the marketing building for an indefinite period accusing the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) of having failed to take any action to evict the temporary vendors.

Association members alleged that some vendors tried to resume business and they were not allowed to do so. The whole responsibility of managing the market is now with the association and it will not allow any vendors to do business here, they said, urging the  BMC to resolve the issue.