Ludhiana: High-voltage fight in old city's electronics market

Ludhiana: High drama was witnessed at electronics market in the old city area on Friday when the shopkeepers from the electronics market and books market indulged in a violent scuffle that took place over allowing street-food carts to run in the market. During the scuffle, an electronics shop was also vandalised. The shopkeepers from both the markets accused each other of advancing the attack.It is alleged that some street-food carts were established on the roadside in the electronics market ‘illegally', against which the complainant, who runs an electronics shop in the market, had complained to the Municipal Corporation about 20 days ago after which the corporation had removed the carts from the roadside. However, on Friday a vendor and his associates set up their carts again, the complainant alleged. The vendor, however, claimed that the complainant, his brother and another shopkeeper vandalised their carts and threatened them. Thereafter, the president of books market came in the street-food vendor's support.Subsequently, president of the books market and his associates, the complainant alleged, attacked him and vandalised his shop. He added that the food carts are illegal and encroach the roadside, which leads to traffic chaos. On the other hand, books market president alleged that the shops at the electronics market itself encroach space outside their shops, however the municipal corporation does not act against them. He demanded corporations first remove the shop's encroachment and thereafter act on the food carts. Further, he accused the electronics market shopkeepers of attacking him with a rod. Inspector Paramveer Singh, SHO at Division Number 1 police station said that the police have received complaints from both the sides. The police are enquiring into the matter and will act after verifying the allegations.