FAISALABAD: Protesting traders staged demonstrations on Tuesday and threw traffic out of gear at various places in the city after police thrashed some of their fellows for opening shops defying “smart lockdown” imposed by the government to curb spread of coronavirus.

The police also took some traders into custody following which protest demonstrations were staged at different places, including Ghanta Ghar (clock tower), Jhal Chowk, Bhawana Bazaar, outside Kotwali police station, Jalvi Market and Samanabad.

The agitating traders raised slogans against the government for ordering closure of all markets of the city till Aug 5 and blocked various busy arteries for traffic by burning used tyres.

During traders demo outside Makki Cloth Market, a boy was seen using abusive language against the policemen alleging he was thrashed though he was just an onlooker and had nothing to do with the protest. He later joined the protesters and shouted slogans against police and the government.

The protesters alleged that as soon as police saw some shops open, they started baton-charge without issuing any warning to the traders.

Though the police action against traders was aimed at curbing spread of Covid-19, a number of policemen on duty were neither wearing masks nor maintaining physical distance as required under the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Talking to reporters, the traders said due to frequent lockdowns their financial condition had become fragile and they won’t accept further closure of their businesses.

Some of them said they were baton-charged despite the fact that they did not open their shops and had gathered only to stage peaceful demos against the government decision.

The district administration did not allow the traders to open their shops and City Assistant Commissioner Ayub Bukhari kept visiting various markets along with police to ensure enforcement of ‘smart lockdown’.

He asked the traders that the administration was ensuring implementation of the Punjab government orders regarding the lockdown.

MULTAN: Trader protested on Tuesday against the government move to impose lockdown to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus and kept their shops partially open in various parts of Punjab.

After getting information regarding the opening of the shops in Hussain Aagahi Bazaar, Assistant Commissioner City Abida Farid reached the place along with a force of police where they faced severe resistance from the traders.

Negotiations between the two sides were held in which the traders leader Khwaja Shafiq demanded to allow the opening of the shops but when he was informed that the administration will not allow to open the shops as per the policy of the government, he announced opening of the shops over which the official team left the scene by saying that no one will be allowed to violate the government’s decision.

Traders at Chungi No 6 also held a protest demonstration and blocked the road by burning tyres. They also tried to open the shops but were not allowed while they exchanged harsh words with police officers who were present there along with a large force to avert any untoward situation.

BAHAWALPUR: A partial lockdown was observed by local traders on the first day of the eight-day lockdown.

There was a complete closure of markets on Circular Road. Most shops remained open in the old walled city. Traders demanded that the government review the decision and relax lockdown hours.

The police said they had intensified patrolling in their respective limits to ensure the observance of the SOPs.

KASUR:Scores of shopkeepers staged a protest against the imposition of lockdown meant to avoid spike in Covid-19 cases before Eid. The protesters also blocked Chandni Chowk at Railway road by burning tyres and chanted slogans against the government.

Led by traders union president Muhammad Amir, shopkeepers and traders of Railway Road, Naya Bazaar, Bazaar Dalgiran, Bazaar Kumharan, Faisal Bazaar, and Landa bazaar gathered at Chandni Chowk to protest against the decision of the government to enforce lockdown.

SARGODHA: Traders all over Sargodha district protested against notification of smart lockdown and traders in Bhagtanwala blocked Sargodha-Lahore Road for a couple of hours and long queues of public and goods transport were seen on both sides of road causing inconvenience to patients and general public in the scorching heat.

A group of traders led by Khawar Nadeem and Ahmad Hamid also staged sit-in at Fowara Chowk and blocked the traffic.

Police registered three cases against shopkeepers, sealed four commercial markets and imposed heavy fine as well.

SIALKOT: In Sialkot, the local traders took out peaceful rally against the lockdown announced by the government ahead of Eidul Azha.

On the appeal of Markazi Anjuman Tajraan Sialkot, the traders marched on various main roads and rejected the lockdown. They were carrying banners and placards and chanted anti-government slogans.

In Daska, the local traders also lodged strong protest against this official lockdown. They opened their shops which were later forcibly closed by local administration.

TOBA TEK SINGH: Shopkeepers violated the lockdown decision of the government and most shopping centres remained open at Gojra, Kamalia and Pirmahal.

Police however continued efforts to force the shopkeepers to close their businesses. A team arrested a number of shopkeepers.

The similar situation was reported at many other places including Gujranwala and Okara.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2020