Bandh in Kodinar to oppose tax on hawkers

The police said no untoward incident was reported. To maintain law and order,strict bandobast was made in the town.

Kodinar Town Inspector G H Gohil said: “The situation is totally under control and no unruly incident has occurred so far. However,strict vigil has been maintained in and around the town areas.”

Earlier on Thursday,Congress legislator Dhirsinh Barad had faxed a message addressed to the District Collector in which he had mentioned that Kodinar Nagarpalika was illegally collecting tax from street vendors and hawkers.

The contractor of the civic body,he alleged in his memorandum,collected Rs 20 to Rs 100 as tax from traders without giving them any notice.

In his memorandum,Barad has demanded an immediate ban on the practice. The memorandum also states that as authorities have not taken any action in the matter,a bandh will be observed in the town from Friday.

On September 19,there was a confrontation between the hawkers and the contractor which later led to incidents of stone pelting at several places in the town.

Since then,the situation in Kodinar has remained tense over the issue,said sources.