MINGORA: Hundreds of traders took to the streets on Saturday to protest the government’s decision to shift the fruit and vegetable market out of the Mingora town.

The protesters marched on the roads and chanted slogans against the local administration.

The protest was organised by the Swat fruits and vegetables association.

Addressing the protesters, Saeed Jamal, an office-bearer of the association, said the decision of relocating fruit and vegetable market away from Mingora city was uncalledfor as it had been taken by the Tehsil Municipal Administration, Mingora, in consultation with a handful of traders who were not the representatives of the association.

“The decision taken by the TMA doesn’t represent the viewpoint of the majority of traders in the fruit and vegetable market,” he added.

Mr Jamal claimed that before taking the decision, the TMA officials only consulted three traders of the fruit market out of the total 96.

He alleged that the three traders were powerful, forcing their decision on majority of poor vendors.

Sher Alam Khan, president of the Swat fruit and vegetable association, censured the CMO Mingora for forcing the traders to accept the decision.

“The CMO in collaboration with only three persons made the decision and then later disclosed it to the media that the wholesalers and traders had signed an agreement for relocation of the fruit and vegetable market.” He said the CMO’s premise that the fruit market in the city was causing severe traffic jams was wrong, adding the traffic congestion was because of other reasons.

He argued that the land selected by the TMA for the new market was not suitable and the traders had already showed reservation over the proposed market.

“We will cooperate with the municipal administration in resolving the traffic problems, but will not accept any decision aimed at benefiting a few powerful traders,” he made clear.

He said traders would only agree to the shifting of the fruit market to other area if better facilities and compensation were provided to them.

The traders demanded of the government to revoke the decision of relocating the fruit market.

Attempts were made to contact the CMO, but his mobile phone remained switched off.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2017