Affected shopkeepers demand uniform action, question selective enforcement by police in Rajnandgaon
Published on: January 01, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A wave of dissatisfaction has emerged among small snack stall and cart operators in the city following police action against chakhna (snack) stalls. Acting on the directions of City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Vaishali Jain, Basantpur police on Wednesday carried out a drive against snack carts operating under the flyover at Mohara.
During the operation, vendors were instructed to remove their stalls by evening, failing which they were warned of seizure of goods. The action has directly affected several small shopkeepers who depend on these carts for their daily livelihood.
The affected vendors said that they run snack stalls solely to support their families and such strict action has pushed them towards a livelihood crisis. It has also come to light that cases have been registered against some vendors by Basantpur police under Sections 151 and 36(c).
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Shopkeepers alleged selective action, pointing out that while chakhna stalls are being targeted, dhabas and beer bars in and around the city allegedly continue operations late into the night. They argued that if violations are taking place, action should be taken uniformly against all offenders.
The vendors clarified that they neither sell liquor nor encourage alcohol consumption. According to them, people purchase liquor from licensed shops and visit snack stalls only to buy food items. They questioned the fairness of penalising only snack sellers while ignoring liquor outlets and establishments allegedly flouting rules.
The issue has led to visible resentment among small traders. Discussions are also underway regarding the role of political parties, with questions being raised over whether they will step forward to address the concerns of these vendors.
