Rajkot: A dispute between traders and street hawkers escalated on Tuesday, leading to a bandh at the century-old Lakhaji Raj Market on Lakhajiraj Road, with shops remaining closed till 1 pm.

Traders alleged that continuous encroachment by street hawkers has severely disrupted their business, especially on Sundays, as the hawkers spread mats outside shops, blocking entrances and restricting movement. According to the traders, the harassment has been ongoing for the last five years and, despite repeated protests, their demand for the permanent removal of encroachments from the market area remains unaddressed.

The bandh affected nearly 1,500 traders operating on Lakhajiraj Road, Dharmendra Road, and areas around Sanganwa Chowk. A sit-in protest was also held at Sanganwa Chowk, after which traders submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Commissioner, seeking immediate administrative intervention.

Mahesh Mehta, president of the Lakhajiraj Road Merchant Association, said the market—over 100 years old and catering to daily household needs ranging from groceries to clothing and footwear—has been unable to function properly for years. He warned that if the issue is not resolved even after Tuesday’s protest and representation, traders are prepared to keep the market closed for an entire week to press for their demands. DeshGujarat