Jamshedpur News: Traders Protest Against Eviction of Mango Haat Bazaar in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur, December 12, 2024: In Jamshedpur, traders from Mango Haat-Bazaar staged a protest on Thursday against the district administration’s alleged plans to evict the long-standing market. Responding to calls from the Mango Bazaar Security Committee, shopkeepers kept their businesses shut and took to the streets, expressing their opposition to the administration’s actions.

Traders Rally Against Eviction Plans

The district administration reportedly identified the Mango Haat-Bazaar as an encroached area and proposed its removal. Traders, however, argue that they have been conducting business at the site for years, with many claiming that the market committee officially allocated the space to them. “We have been here for decades, yet the administration wants to uproot us without notice,” said a trader at the protest.

The traders alleged that the eviction plan is part of a larger conspiracy to displace them from their livelihoods. The committee organizing the protest stated that no formal notification or eviction order has been issued by the district administration or the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC).

Business Halt Brings Attention

Approximately 200 traders from the market joined forces and marched toward the Agricultural Produce Market Committee office in Parsudih to voice their concerns. Protesters demanded that the administration reconsider its actions and halt the eviction process.

The protest garnered attention as traders claimed that they learned of the administration’s plans only through media reports. “We were not informed directly, but news articles alerted us to this decision,” said another shopkeeper.

Economic Concerns Amid Eviction

For many traders, the Mango Haat Bazaar is more than just a marketplace, it represents their primary source of income. They expressed fears that losing the market space would leave them with no means of sustaining their livelihoods.

The protestors emphasized that any move to displace the market would have a domino effect, harming not just the traders but also the local economy. Many customers rely on the Mango Haat Bazaar for affordable goods and produce, making it a critical hub for the community.

Demand for Transparent Dialogue

The traders called for a transparent dialogue with the district administration and the APMC. They requested clarity on the alleged encroachment claims and insisted that any decisions about the market’s future should involve the stakeholders directly impacted by the action.

Local organizations and leaders have also started to weigh in on the issue, highlighting the need for a balanced resolution that takes into account both legal mandates and the economic stability of the traders.

Administrative Response Awaited

As of now, no formal statement has been issued by the district administration regarding the traders’ protests or their demands. However, the protest has drawn significant attention to the plight of small-scale traders and the challenges they face in securing their livelihood amidst urban planning and regulatory enforcement.

The ongoing dispute underscores the complexities of balancing development and the livelihoods of local communities. All eyes now remain on the authorities to see how they address the traders’ grievances while upholding regulatory frameworks.