Amritsar MC seals Hall Gate fish shops; traders decry heavy losses, seek alternative mkt

Amritsar: Nearly four months after notifying the public of a ban on meat, tobacco, and liquor establishments within city limits, the Amritsar municipal corporation launched a major enforcement drive on Monday. The operation targeted the city's prominent wholesale fish market located inside the historic Hall Gate, sealing around 10 shops and about eight tobacco kiosks.The sudden action left shop owners distressed, as their fresh stock remained locked inside the sealed premises, causing significant financial losses.Rajendra Kumar, a fourth-generation prominent fish dealer, alleged that the authorities acted without providing any viable alternative arrangement. He urged the corporation to designate a suitable and secure location where traders could continue their business without fear or uncertainty.Highlighting the historical significance of the market, he said it had been in existence since the time of the Indo-Pak Partition, with families engaged in the trade for three to four generations.In the recent past, the corporation issued them notices to vacate the shops by March 31.The fish dealers maintain that they submitted a reply asking for an alternative site, but did not hear from the corporation. On Monday, the officials came and sealed their shops, he added. "We do not know any other profession. How can we suddenly shift to something else?" he questioned, adding that the govt must ensure the establishment of an alternative fish market in Amritsar.He pointed out that the Amritsar fish market is not only crucial for the local economy but also supplies fish to adjoining districts and regions, including Jammu and Kashmir. The market has earned a reputation for providing high-quality fish that is widely appreciated across India.Notably, on Dec 15, 2025, the Punjab govt issued a historic notification declaring the Walled City of Amritsar a Holy City and prohibiting the sale and use of meat, tobacco products and alcohol within its limits.Amritsar MC esate officer Dharmenderjit Singh said a team of the corporation, along with teams from the Animal husbandry department and the police, sealed around 10 shops in the fish market and about eight tobacco kiosks. MSID:: 130394916 413 |
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