On 13th day of the strike by Sarafa traders, the agitation further intensified on Monday. A dharna was staged at Sarafa Chowk and Mandakini colony ground on Kolar road.
At Mandakini ground, after the daylong dharna, the agitators held a candle march and released black balloons into the air as a sign of their protest against the imposed excise duty on Sarafa traders.
The dharna was addressed by Congress leader Govind Goyal who spoke in support of the Sarafa traders.
A working committee member of Sarafa Association Navneet Agarwal told the Pioneer that there is no assurance from the side of the government yet. In such conditions the next move is ‘Dilli Chalo’ on March 17.
In Delhi, a nationwide huge demonstration has been chalked out in which around five lakh Sarafa traders and artisans from across the country will take part. The members would start reaching Delhi on Wednesday. From Bhopal more than 1000 artisans and Sarafa traders are expected to take part in the demonstration at Delhi. The demonstration will be held at Ramleela Maidan.
On the same day, the associations here in Bhopal will organize a ‘Bhopal Bandh’. The association are planning is to mount pressure on the government which seems to be unmoved by the actions taken by the Sarafa associations to end the imposed excise duty.