Kolkata, 1 August (H.S.):

Traders of Bansbedia Ganges Jute Mill area in Hooghly district kept their business establishments closed on Thursday against the order of Ganges Jute Mill Management to remove the houses, tin sheds built on the drain in the Jute Mill area and tea, betel and breakfast shops from Jhanda Maidan. The market remained closed in Bansbedia Jute Mill area on Thursday. All shops including grocery shops, vegetables, clothes and jewellery remained closed.

Local Traders' Committee Secretary Vikas Kumar Shaw said, ''Today's shutdown proves that there is unity among all the shops owners. We will stand together in anyone's trouble.''

Notably, Ganges Jute Mill Management had given time till 31 July by putting posters in the area and said that the houses and tin sheds built on the drain and tea, betel and breakfast shops from Jhanda Maidan would have to be removed or face legal action. The shopkeepers assumed that the deadline has expired and now the company will take some big action.

Therefore, all the traders were ready to protest. But the company did not take any action against the encroachment on Thursday. Managing Officer A.K. Shrivastav said that the company will hold a meeting on this issue on 4th August, but it is the company's responsibility to maintain a clean environment for the workers living in the colony. Therefore, the company cannot compromise on roads for drainage, drinking water and movement.

Hindusthan Samachar

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey / Manoj Kumar Tayal