Pandemonium at Parantha Market: Vendors clash with Ludhiana MC staff over sudden clearance of stalls

A scuffle broke out late Saturday night near Bharat Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana after a Municipal Corporation team attempted to clear street food stalls from the popular 'Parantha Market'. The incident occurred around 11 pm, leading to heated exchanges and physical altercations between vendors and civic staff.

Eyewitnesses alleged that during the removal drive, some municipal employees misbehaved with women present at the site, resulting in further outrage. The situation escalated quickly, prompting police from Division No. 5 to intervene and restore order.

The civic action was reportedly triggered by a complaint following a clash between two groups at the market on Friday night. Acting on the complaint, the MC team arrived on Saturday and began removing carts and stalls without prior notice, according to vendors.

Members of the market accused the civic staff of high-handedness and lack of transparency. They claimed they had verbal permission from the SHO of Division No. 5 to operate until midnight, and the market had been functioning under the bridge accordingly.

Protesting vendors said had they received a warning in advance, they would not have set up their stalls. The sudden action, they argued, disrupted livelihoods and created unnecessary tension.

The police presence helped defuse the situation, but the incident has once again highlighted the need for clear communication and coordination between civic authorities and local vendors operating in informal markets.