Unrest at Bhubaneswar Market Building after faceoff between shopkeepers and street vendors

After a brief lull, the street vendors and permanent shopkeepers at Market Building area were at loggerheads once again. Palpable tension prevailed at the Market Building on Wednesday after some of the street vendors allegedly tried to resume their business from the complex.

A face-off like situation cropped up after the street vendors were opposed by the Central Market Building Association members. Police reached the spot and held discussions with the shopkeepers and vendors.

It is not for the first time that such a face off was witnessed at the Market Building area in Bhubaneswar. It is pertinent to mention here that the Market Building had reopened on August 3 after almost 19 days of remaining shut.

The Market Building Association has been alleging encroachment by the makeshift vendors and demanding their eviction. When BMC allegedly didn’t take any action, the association decided to shut the market building for an indefinite period.

“There was no faceoff. Two to three vendors tried to resume business and our association members did not allow them. The entire responsibility of managing the market is now with the association. We will not allow any vendors to sit here. Only BMC will resolve the matter of the vendors,” said a member of the association.

The association member further said that BMC is entrusted with the responsibility to maintain facilities and ensure beautification of the market complex. The street vendors said that they have court order to do business inside the market.