Police teams were stationed at the Weekly Saturday Bazaar in Chaudi-Canacona. Captured by : The Goan
CANACONA
Amid a call by the Hindhavi Swaraj Sangathan to boycott traders from outside Canacona taluka from carrying out trade at the Weekly Saturday Bazaar, only a few local traders were seen in the market area as outstation traders were absent on account of tensions in the area.
Chaudi Councillor Ramakant Naik Gaunkar along with others partially resumed the weekly bazaar later in the afternoon and informed that the Weekly Saturday Bazaar, which started in 1989, will continue as usual from next Saturday.
The entire market area, where dozens of traders mostly coming from outside the State do business, wore a deserted look till afternoon as no outstation traders turned up at the weekly bazaar.
However, local traders -- many of who are hilly growers, who otherwise normally sell their produce at temporary roadside stalls -- were seen at the weekly bazaar with their produce, selling it to the few customers.
A heavy police force led by Canacona Police Inspector Harish Raut Desai was deployed in the market fearing trouble in the area, while three vehicles which reached Chaudi did not unload their goods till the intervention of the Chaudi ward councillor and some other prominent citizens.
According to sources, Chaudi Ward councillor and ex-chairperson Ramakant Naikgaunkar, Shantaji Naikgaunkar, Sandesh Telekar and others persuaded some outstation traders who brought their stocks in three different trucks to unload it in the market for sale in the afternoon. A few outstation traders obliged and set up temporary stalls selling vegetables which sold in quick time.
Over 90% of vegetable traders at the Bazaar in Chaudi come from Belagavi, Hubli, Dharward and surrounding areas. Normally several trucks with their goods begin to arrive Friday night itself and some arrive on Saturday morning.
Closure of weekly market sparks anger
The absence of outstation traders at the Weekly Saturday Bazaar at Chaudi on account of tension in the area sparked angry reactions from many in Canacona.
“People who have been protesting against the Julus procession in Canacona have also called for a closure of the bazaar at Chaudi, which is not correct. Without this bazaar, the rates of vegetables would be unaffordable for the common man,” said Chaudi Ward councillor and ex-chairperson Ramakant Naikgaunkar.
“These weekly traders do not live here permanently. We don’t have any problem with the Julus procession of the local Muslim community. Their mosque existed many decades ago and even before we were born; no one can term it as illegal now. This weekly bazaar will continue henceforth, and we will try to persuade some people who are opposing the weekly bazaar.”
Social worker and retired headmaster Shantaji Naik Gaonkar criticised the derogatory comments made against the Muslims on Friday.
“The person making those derogatory comments is a headmaster at a school, and he should know how to speak publicly and in particular, while commenting on other communities,” said Gaonkar.
An activist, Sandesh Telekar, said it was wrong to close the weekly market without having alternate plans. “Let 50 youth from Canacona start selling vegetables and fruits, then people will stop purchasing from outside traders. If that happens, outside traders will have no option but to stop coming to the bazaar itself,” said Telekar.
CMC to discuss issue at next meet
Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) Chairperson Sara Naik Dessai has stated that the issue of the Weekly Saturday Bazaar at Chaudi will be discussed in the next municipal meeting.
According to municipal sources, there was no official announcement regarding the closure of the weekly bazaar but the threat of the Hindhavi Swaraj Sangathan (HSS) to close the market scared away the outstation traders from participating in the bazaar day at Chaudi.
“No one informed anyone not to come for the bazaar day. It seems that following the threat of HSS, the outstation traders themselves stayed away fearing any untoward situation during the bazaar day,” said a source.
“The CMC will extend an invitation to all willing outstation traders to participate in the Chaudi’s weekly bazaar from next week,” the source added.
