Rythu Bazaar, the one stop market where fresh vegetables and fruits are sold by the farmers themselves, has now left denizens worried because the market also houses hawkers who sell dangerous knives, sickles, and axes.
With negligible monitoring by the police and Agriculture Department, the Swaraj Maidan Rythu Bazaar, which sees a footfall of over a thousand customers daily, has also become a hot spot for the sale of knives, sickles and axes, prices of which start at ₹150 a piece.
“To see these weapons being openly sold in the market is a dreadful sight. Many of us walk by these hawkers, some looking at the knives in fear, some in disgust, but nobody brings it to the notice of the officers here,” said Satya Nagesh, a resident who frequents the market.
Migrants, for livelihood
“We have been here for a few months now. We keep migrating from one Rythu Bazaar to another, in order to sell the knives we make. And, this is our only source of income,” said Baburao, a trader from Maharashtra. Most of these traders come from Maharashtra, Rajasthan and the Rayalaseema region as well.
There are a total of eight hawkers in and around the market, who have set up shop of knives, sickles and axes and sell them violating the rules laid down by the Agriculture Marketing Department. According to the rules, sale of anything but fruits and vegetables in the vicinity of the market is prohibited . Moreover, farmers who conduct operations inside the market cannot do so without an identity card issued by the Estate Officer under rule no. 48(7)(1) of The Andhra Pradesh (Agricultural Produce and Livestock) Markets Rules, 1969.
‘Action soon’
Officials at the Swaraj Maidan Rhythu Bazaar claimed they were unaware of the situation and said they would act upon it instantly.
“The market is always filled with crowds and may be this is an easy passage for these hawkers to set up shop here. Only farmers with licence can sell here and those not adhering to the rules will be asked to leave instantly,” said an official of the Market’s Estate Office.