Nagpur: Day 3 of the 25-day Covid restrictions saw sporadic protests by traders, especially in Sitabuldi and Central Avenue. On Thursday, Sitabuldi Merchants’ Association (SMA), along with other traders’ associations in the city staged ‘thali bajao, sarkar jagao’ agitation to protest against what it called “oppressive steps” taken by the state government in its bid to control the pandemic.
Hussain Ajani, executive member of SMA said, “Thousands of families are dependent on this non-essential industries. So we have unitedly gathered to voice our protest and press for measures that are conducive for us to do business.”
Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC), the parent body of 150 trader associations from entire Vidarbha, organized thali bajao, sarkar jagao protests at six different places in the city to protest the curbs. NVCC president Ashwin Mehadiya demanded chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow all shops to function in the city and other places across the state. He said traders “will not die of coronavirus but of lockdown”. He urged the Maharashtra government to withdraw lockdown from the state.