Once famous for eateries, Mohali’s 3B2 market now known as trouble spot

MOHALI: Mohali's 3B2 market, which in the past one year has witnessed a surge in new eating joints and shops, is also famous for another reason. It has been categorised as a 'trouble spot' for cops.

In the past two months, 32 complaints have been filed at Mataur police station in cases of theft, labour exploitation and brawls in the market are. A total of 147 traffic challans have been issued here.
Shopkeepers and those living around the market area are irked likewise. Mohali residents usually try to avoid visiting the market during evening as the parking area is packed with youngsters' cars who are mostly outsiders and gather there to socialise.
"Youngsters need to understand that it is a public place and thus should behave accordingly. The mushrooming of PG accommodations in the area is also to be blamed for the nuisance. Youngsters and students take the city to be a hub for Gehri culture," said RWA general secretary SS Gill. It was also added that drinking in public behind the market, drunk driving and brawls have become a menace.
Views of many residents were in tandem with those of Gill. They claimed that the youngsters hanging out in the parking area create ruckus every evening, making it uncomfortable for the residents to visit the market. "We being the residents of 3B2 itself, find it difficult to visit the market even for our purchasing goods of daily needs. There is no parking space at all," said Gursimrat Singh, a resident of 3B2, Mohali.
Simranjeet Singh, who owns a food outlet in the market, said, "It all depends on the presence of police. Things are under control when police personnel are present in the area or there are PCRs."
Jagdev Singh, Mataur SHO while talking to TOI said, "To maintain peace in the area, we make sure to set up nakas at least for five to six days a week in the market and issue challan to those who create trouble for the residents. As there are major food outlets in the market area, it attracts a lot of youngsters, which tends to lead to some issue or the other. Though we can't stop people from visiting the area, we can make sure that suitable and immediate action is taken against trouble makers."
The lack of parking space in the market area is yet another issue plaguing the residents. Another issue Due to congested parking space and jams, people here tend to park there vehicles behind the parked vehicles which leads to wastage of time for the people. Harcharan Singh Bhullar, SSP, Mohali, made contrary claims and said, "Patrolling is done to ensure that no disturbance takes place in the market. Traffic police also make sure that there is no congestion."