Tensions Ignite as Businessmen and Hawkers Clash Over Road Space in New Market

Businessmen and hawkers faced off in New Market, following West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's directive to reduce road space occupation. Disputes over parking areas led to physical altercations and traffic blockages. Normalcy was restored after police intervention.

Saturday saw high tension in the city's New Market area as businessmen and hawkers clashed over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive to minimize hawkers' road space occupation.

According to a police official, the skirmish began when hawkers opposed traders with permanent stalls in New Market and its open spaces for parking their vehicles there.

Hawkers insisted that, as agreed in a meeting with Mayor Firhad Hakim, the parking space in front of Simpark Mall be cleared of permanent shop owners' vehicles, allowing hawkers to display their wares.

The confrontation escalated into physical altercations, leading businessmen to block S N Banerjee Road, causing a traffic disruption towards Esplanade for about 30 minutes.

Organizing a rally through various New Market alleys, hawkers asserted that shop owners were denying them proper space and endangering their livelihoods.

The situation returned to normal after senior police and KMC officials intervened, allowing both groups to resume their activities.