MEAT AND FISH SELLERS STAGED DHARANA

MEAT AND FISH SELLERS STAGED DHARANA

7-OCT-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------A protest was held on Tuesday at the Bihiya Block premises in Bhojpur district under the aegis of the Meat, Chicken, and Fish Sellers' Association. The vendors demanded the demolition of the dilapidated meat market located at the town's vegetable market and the construction of a modern slaughterhouse and a dedicated market building for meat and fish sellers on the same site.

During the protest, the vendors demanded the issuance of fresh licenses to all 26 shopkeepers in the town and the renewal of existing licenses. A memorandum outlining two key demands, addressed to the District Magistrate of Bhojpur, was submitted to Block Development Officer Archana Verma on behalf of the association.

The protest was presided over by Shyam Kumar Munnu, President of the Meat and Fish Sellers' Association and District Vice-President of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while the proceedings were conducted by Munna Qureshi. In addition to the town's meat and fish sellers, social activists and local public representatives also participated in the protest.

The association president stated that the current meat market building is in a severely dilapidated state. Shopkeepers are somehow managing to conduct their business within this structure. The dilapidated condition of the building causes inconvenience to both shopkeepers and customers.

He noted that business has been conducted at this location for a long time; therefore, instead of relocating the vendors elsewhere, a new building should be constructed on the same land. He added that if shopkeepers are temporarily shifted elsewhere during the construction work, a specific timeframe for completing the new building must be established beforehand.

The vendors demanded the construction of a two-story building to replace the dilapidated market and the allocation of shops within it to all 26 shopkeepers. They emphasized that the new building should have proper arrangements for water, sanitation, and other essential amenities to ensure convenience for both shopkeepers and customers.

The association warned that if prompt action is not taken regarding their demands, a phased agitation would be launched. During the protest, vendors raised the issue of the daily fee of ₹25 per shopkeeper collected by the Nagar Panchayat. They alleged that this amount is collected without issuing receipts, yet the shopkeepers receive no facilities in return.

The vendors demanded that if they are being charged this fee, basic amenities such as water, sanitation, and toilets should be provided in the market.

Addressing the protest, Deputy Block Chief Mukesh Yadav stated his support for the demands of the meat and fish vendors. He advocated for the construction of a new building for the vendors at this very location.

He noted that other sites are available in the town for the construction of public toilets; therefore, a market complex for the vendors should be built on the meat market land. He urged the municipal administration not to harass the vendors.

Mukesh Yadav stated that, if necessary, they would meet with officials to discuss their demands. He pointed out that business activities have been conducted at this site since before independence, so a market complex should be constructed on this land to provide shops for the vendors.

He demanded the provision of facilities like water and sanitation in the new building. He also called for a separate location for toilets and a plan formulated according to regulations to ensure smooth business operations.

Union President Shyam Kumar Munnu alleged that the Nagar Panchayat, in collusion with land mafias, is attempting to evict vendors from the slaughterhouse land originally allocated by the Maharaja of Dumraon before independence. He claimed that the land is currently registered in the name of the Bihar Government (Anabad land).

He mentioned that a slaughterhouse shed was constructed here in 1991 at a cost of ₹1.65 lakh using funds from the then MLA Dharmpal Singh's constituency development fund; however, the shed has now become dilapidated.

According to the Union President, while many vendors were previously issued licenses, new licenses are no longer being issued, and existing licenses are not being renewed. They demanded that the government and administration construct a two-story building to allocate shops to all 26 shopkeepers and issue the necessary licenses.

Hundreds of people participated in the protest, including Harendra Singh, Mohammad Murad Hussain, Siyaram Yadav, Rambabu Gupta, Ward Councilor Ajit Kumar, Ravindra Prasad, Guddu Kumar, Bablu Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Mohammad Mustaq Qureshi, and Farooq Qureshi.