PESHAWAR: Violation of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by the business community on Monday led to a scuffle between traders and police in Pepal Mandi area and surrounding markets here.

The traders warned that they would defy the lockdown if the government did not relax restrictions imposed over the outbreak of novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

The traders carried out business in the city areas, including Pepal Mandi, Nishtarabad, Rampura and Gantaghar, without taking any preventive measures against the virus.

Though the vehicles were rarely allowed to enter the main markets via Khyber Bazaar and Chowk Yadgar, the movement of pedestrians and bikers wasn’t restricted.

Business community warns if restrictions not relaxed, they’ll defy them

The residents appeared completely unaware of the importance of social distancing and the use of facemask.

Some traders claimed that the police unofficially relaxed restrictions from 10am to 2pm daily to help the people purchase essential goods ahead of the fasting month of Ramazan but as the number of customers increased, they tried to stop them by force and thus, leading to the scuffle.

“We have been using one of the Pepal Mandi four gates clandestinely and have been carrying out business smoothly from 10am to 2pm for the last three days but as the matter was highlighted by the media, the police forced us to close shops,” claimed a trader pleading anonymity.

The traders told Dawn that after the scuffle, all Pepal Mandi gates would remain closed for two days unless the issue was resolved through negotiations by trader leaders and police high-ups.

However, the police claimed that the situation was under control and no one had been booked for the violation of Section 144.

Markazi Tanzeem Tajiran Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Malik Meher Ilahi said though he was not present on the occasion, it was certain that traders were no more willing to keep shops closed.

“The month of Ramzan is fast approaching, so these are the days of business,” he told Dawn.

Mr Ilahi said the association had presented its demands to the government through the industries secretary and they included the opening of shops from 10am to 4pm in city areas, from 12 noon to 6pm in cantonment areas and from 2pm to 8pm on University Road.

He said the government should adopt a mechanism for the opening of bazaars for a particular time allowing the entry of limited people.

The trader leader demanded of the government for traders Rs0.1 million grant for every shop, up to Rs2 million interest-free long-term loans, delay in the enforcement of CNIC condition by the FBR, waiver of the 2020-21 provincial taxes, and 50 per cent concession in school fee.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2020