GUWAHATI: Cart pullers in Fancy Bazar under the umbrella of Guwahati Thela Chalak Sangha staged a protest on Monday, September 9 demanding the release of ten of them, who were arrested following a scuffle with police on Saturday, September 7.
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The incident occurred at Gate No. 3 near SRCB Road, where tensions flared between the labourers and traffic officials.
One of the members of the Guwahati Thela Chalak Sangha said they had stopped all work alleging that several of them were arrested and sent to jail by the police for no reason.
According to sources in Fancy Bazar, the conflict began when cart pullers were asked to clear the road, as they were causing traffic congestion.
“The cart pullers were blocking the road, and with celebrations underway at the nearby Digambar Jain temple, devotees had complained to the police,” a source in Fancy Bazar Police Station told GPlus.
When officers requested the labourers to move, the situation escalated. “Around 100 labourers confronted the police, leading to a scuffle,” the source added.
However, talking to GPlus, an official from Panbazar Police Station said, "During the scuffle, one of our traffic officers was injured. We had no choice but to take action and we arrested 10 labourers who were actively involved in the fight. The situation got out of hand quickly, and we had to step in to restore order."
He further explained, "The case has now been sent to court, so the matter is out of our hands. We understand the labourers are protesting for their release, but at this stage, it is up to the legal system to decide."
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