A collective of traders which runs temporary eateries and small food stalls around the centuries-old Kuttichira pond here during Ramzan nights has sought an alternative venue.
This follows opposition from the residents, represented by the Kuttichira Pourasamithi, who say it affects their life during the season.
Traders willingThe traders, in an earlier discussion with the Pourasamithi members, had agreed to end their trade around the pond during Ramzan if an alternative location was provided to them.
During a meeting on Wednesday, the members of the Pourasamithi brought the issue to the notice of Mayor A.K. Premajam and apprised her of the difficulties faced by them during the Ramzan season.
Prof. Premajam told The Hindu that a decision on the alternative venue could be taken only after a detailed discussion with the leaders of the traders’ collective — the Kuttichira Kachavada Samrakshana Samithi.
The meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.
She said there was no apparent opposition to allowing an alternative venue for the traders since it was only for a month every year.
“We will, however, ensure that it involves no legal issues,” Prof. Premajam said.
S.V. Abdul Azees, treasurer of the Kuttichira Pourasamithi, said the sale of food from makeshift eateries around the pond during Ramzan nights had been a practice for several years. “However, it began to affect the lives of the people residing in the area only after the food stalls began to attract a larger number of visitors in recent years,” Mr. Azees said.
Traders’ representative M.P. Ummer said stopping the trade all of a sudden would put around 150 families, who depend on the Ramzan food trade for their livelihood, to hardship.
“We have already identified a suitable alternative place at the South Beach for the food stalls to be relocated,” Mr. Ummer said, expressing confidence that Thursday’s meeting would prove fruitful.
