Mangalore, Jan 4: A tense situation prevailed at Central Market here on Saturday, when a clash erupted between street vendors and local shop owners after a protest staged by the latter was interrupted by the street vendors.
The local police had to intervene and resort to lathi charge as the clash turned ugly and situation went out of control.
During a peaceful protest staged by Central Market merchants' association on Saturday against the street hawkers peddling their goods in the area, the local street vendors began to shout slogans against the protest led by Hameed Kandak of the merchants' association.
As a volley of slogans was hurled against each other, a clash ensued leading to a tense situation in the area. When the police tried to unsuccessfully disperse the crowd, they resorted to lathi charge.
CITU leaders Sunil Kumar Bajal and B K Imthiyaz who were present at the scene were taken into custody along with three others, following a verbal clash with the police.
The protest staged by the association of licensed merchants' comes close to the heels of a protest by street vendors which was held on Friday in the same area.
The licensed merchants of Central Market contend that the street hawkers eat into their income, while the street vendors demand an alternative space or arrangement to peddle their ware.
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