After HC order, Admn announces closure of fish market

Harinder Singh Khaira

Patiala, April 28

The Patiala administration today announced the closure of fish market from the Factory Area near local bus stand after the Punjab and Haryana High Court order.

Station House Officer (SHO) Harvinder Singh said, “Following the High Court orders, the Patiala Sub-Divisional Magistrate has directed us to comply with the orders on ground. Shopkeepers have peacefully shut their shops complying with the orders.”

Earlier, the Municipal Corporation (MC), Patiala, had removed all fish shops from the market in July, 2016, after the residents complained about it. Following the shutdown campaign of MC officials, the shopkeepers staged protest and alleged that the MC has allotted unhygienic place to them to setup their market.

The shopkeepers had also approached the High Court for the relief in the matter, but the court dismissed their plea a week ago. On November 21, 2016, a local court had also dismissed the shopkeepers’ plea, in which they sought a stay on shifting of the market.

Before the announcement, the residents of the local factory raised their voice against the nuisance created by the foul smell and other troubles due to the sale of fish. They also organised a protest campaign against the fish market, which was led by area councillor Harpreet Kaur and her husband Sukhwinder Pal Minta, former councillor.

The area municipal councillor had even taken up the matter with Sukhbir Singh Badal during his sangat darshan, who had asked the Patiala MC to initiate appropriate action in this regard.