Tension prevailed at the EU-assisted Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market at Maradu for the second consecutive day as a group of people stopped lorries carrying loads on the road leading to the market in the early hours of Saturday.
The blockade, which started at around 3 a.m. lasted till 7 a.m. INTUC workers who were part of the group claimed that it was a spontaneous protest by the local people against the sale of pesticide-infected vegetables and fruits brought from outside the State through shops inside the market.
P. Jabbar, vice president, INTUC, Nettoor, said this was against the byelaw of the market set up for the promotion of produce of local farmers. “All vehicles carrying indigenously produced items were let inside and only those carrying vegetables and fruits from other States were stopped,” he said.
He alleged that traders continued to violate the decision of the market executive committee held on Friday and transferred goods from one vehicle to another within the market for moving them outside for sale elsewhere.
Mr. Jabbar warned of a strong protest if a solution to the dispute with traders does not emerge at a conciliatory meeting called by the District Collector on Monday.
Maradu Market Traders Association, however, alleged that it was not a popular protest but a ploy by INTUC workers to sabotage the functioning of the market.
S.M. Muhayudheen, president of the association, said contrary to the workers’ claim, not just vegetables and fruits, but all items, including meat bound for the market, were stopped on the road. He alleged that despite informing Panangad police as soon as the blockade started, the police team didn’t turn up till around 7 a.m.
“The police intervened only after we threatened to shut down shops, leaving vegetables, fruits, and meat to rot on the road,” he said. He alleged that police had also failed to take action against workers who created a ruckus in the market on Friday.
INTUC workers and shop owners came to blows on Friday over the issue of loading and unloading. People from both sides were reportedly injured in the melee and got admitted in hospitals.
INTUC workers and shop owners came to blows on Friday over the issue of loading and unloading.
