Following an aggressive protest last evening against their eviction from Mahatma Gandhi Marg and alleged lack of rehabilitation measures, street vendors of Ranchi observed a one-day strike on Thursday.
Makeshift shops along the streets remained closed all over the city as street vendors took to the streets to express their dissent peacefully. A day before on Wednesday evening, their torchlight protest march turned ugly near Albert Ekka Chowk after the protestors piled their torches in the form of a bonfire blocking the street, provoking police forces to open lathi-charge. Injuries were reported from both sides in the scuffle.
During their work-stoppage today, called by National Hawker Federation (NHF), street vendors of Ranchi did not open shops in solidarity with those removed from MG Marg. A five-member delegation of the Federation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through CM Secretariat with their demands of reopening the central artery of the State capital for street vendors to set up shop, dubbing the temporary arrangements inadequate and disarrayed.
Six temporary vending zones were earmarked for temporarily relocate the evicted hawkers on orders from Jharkhand High Court. The list of selected spots has been sent to the court for approval, the civic guardians stated.
“The temporary zones identified by our representatives and those from Ranchi Municipal Corporation will accommodate only 25 per cent of the evicted hawkers, which will instigate chaos. Additionally, these spots have not be been marked and are full of either vehicles or garbage,” stated Saktiman Ghosh, General Secretary of NHF.
He further added, “Until a proper Town Vending Committee makes permanent arrangements for the vendors they should be allowed to do business along MG Marg. We are willing to clear the streets during peak hours. Government should file an affidavit on our behalf in this regard.”
The vending zone proposed to be constructed near Jaipal Singh Stadium will also be ineffective as the sales will drop there, stated Ghosh. The letter to the CM asked for 2.5 per cent of the total land available in Ranchi for vending purposes.
Along with these requests, the memorandum also enumerated dissent over the Smart City tag for Ranchi, calling for making space for the street vendors in the plans too.
The vendors have been assured by officials at CM Secretariat that a meeting to
discuss the demands and problems of the hawkers will be convened shortly after the CM returns from Assam, added Ghosh.