Nagpur: Over 500 shopkeepers and vendors of more than 40-year-old Defence Market at Tulani Chowk, Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAj), staged protest on Wednesday against restriction on entry of outsiders in the estate premises by OFAj administration since past couple of weeks.
The Defence market which is one of the biggest in Nagpur remains open on every Wednesday and Sunday. People from OFAj estate, Dattawadi, Durgdhamna, Wadi, MIDC, Sonegaon, Nagalwadi, Siddharth Society visit this market for the last four decades. According to the protesting shopkeepers the restriction continued since past one month that affected their business. Hence, all shopkeepers have decided to shutdown the market on Wednesday as a protest against this restriction. A delegation of vendors also met the General Manager OFAj and handedover a memorandum to him regarding the issue. If the situation remains the same then we will continue the strike on Sunday also, a shopkeeper warned.
On the other hand, the OFAj administration said, “OFAj is a defence establishment which is a highly sensitive area. To strengthen the security, this restriction has been imposed on outsiders. OFAj also issued hawker passes for Wednesday and Sunday markets and people who are residents of nearby areas can enter in the estate on both days for marketing.” The restriction is now becoming a headache for residents who are staying outside the estate and regularly visit Tulani Chowk where the market is situated. OFAj administration issued a vehicle sticker for employees which is a gate pass for them. Retired employees of OFAj who are staying outside the estate are also facing problem to enter in the estate. As per an ex-employee they are dependent on banks, post office and other essential services like domestic gas agency, market etc which are situated inside the estate. The restriction is creating problem for them and their family members on regular basis. OFAj also clarified that those people who regularly enter the estate for essential services will have to carry their valid identity card. On the basis of their ID card they can enter the estate without any problem.
