Bhubaneswar, Oct. 09 ( Odisha.in):Vendors of Bhubaneswar, who include vegetable vendors, fish, meat and egg vendors etc. on Tuesday demonstrated before the Relience Fresh outlets in Bhubaneswar and attacked its outlets at Kalpana Square and Nayapalli area, causing damages and forcing for its closure.
As soon as the outlet at Kalpana Square was opened and transactions started, a group of vendors reached the spot and started ransacking the outlet.
However Girija Mishra, Cluster Head of Reliance Outlet in Bhubaneswar told media persons that they have received good response from the consumers, but the vendors are reacting badly because of some “misunderstanding “.
He said that in no way the vendors would be affected as the Reliance Fresh would not go for marketing of vegetables etc. within few days.
Instead of selling vegetables, fruits, fish, meat and other eatables, the Reliance Fresh outlets in Bhubaneswar have started selling processed foods, cosmetics etc. allegedly to divert the attention of the people that though they are not selling fresh vegetables, meat, fish etc. the local vendors are unnecessarily creating problems for the company.
The Reliance Fresh outlet at Nayapalli was also attacked and stoned by the agitated demonstrators demanding ouster of the organisation from Orissa.
Talking to media persons, Biranchi Narayan Mishra, Executive President of traders and vendors coordination committee said that they were determined not to allow operation of Reliance Fresh outlets in Bhubaneswar at any cost as it has threatened existence of the small vendors and traders.
The police have arrested about 20 demonstrators who were leading the Agitation against the Reliance Fresh.
Talking to Odisha.in Pratap Kumar Sahoo, Secretary of Bhubaneswar small Businessmen and street vendors association condemned the arrest and said that the Reliance Fresh management were trying to suppress the legitimate agitation of the vendors by heavily bribing the vested interests.
He said the vendors of Bhubaneswar would not succumb to any type of oppressive measures by the company and the Government machinery since the question of survival of the poor vendors and their family is involved.
He said that the “suicide squad ” will act at the appropriate time if the Government and the Reliance Fresh would not heed to their demands.
Odisha.in