Shimla, Sep 8 (PTI) The Lakkar Bazaar in Shimla remained closed on Tuesday as its traders’ association staged a hunger strike and kept the stores’ shutters down to protest against street vendors operating in the area, demanding that the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) remove their stalls.
Addressing the protest, trader Papu said Lakkar Bazaar is among the city’s important heritage areas. “Our protest is aimed at maintaining order in the market and preventing roadside encroachments. Allowing street vendors to set up temporary stalls in the market not only undermined its historical character but also disrupted its day-to-day functioning.” He urged the SMC to make separate arrangements for street vendors by allotting them designated spaces in authorised
vending zones and ensure that Lakkar Bazaar remained a non-vending zone.
Papu said the civic body had removed street vendors from the market earlier in compliance with directions of the High Court. However, on Monday, a large number of vendors under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) returned to the area, set up stalls along the roadside and resumed business.
He further said that the traders will intensify their agitation if the corporation fails to accept their demands. He also said that the traders will block the road and prevent the movement of all vehicles, except ambulances, if their demands are not met. PTI COR AMJ AMJ
