Bandh by APMC traders on Feb 25 to protest thefts

Pune: Traders at the APMC Market Yard in Gultekdi have reported a rise in theft cases over the past six months, alleging inaction by the market committee and the police despite repeated complaints.Rajendra Bathiya, president of the Poona Merchants' Chambers, an apex body representing over 600 traders operating from the Market Yard, said traders have decided to observe a one-day bandh on Feb 25 in protest.
"We have raised our concerns on multiple occasions, but they have not been addressed. As a mark of protest, we will observe a one-day bandh," Bathiya said.He added that the issue had been brought to the notice of the APMC committee and the police several times, but no concrete action had followed. "Traders are facing significant financial losses due to the increase in theft incidents," he said.Raikumar Nahar, a trader at the Market Yard, said thieves stole AC cables and cold storage equipment from his shop twice in the past four months. "All these incidents occurred within the Market Yard premises despite security at the entrance. There have also been cases of shop break-ins in which cash and goods worth thousands of rupees were stolen," he said, adding that one such incident was reported just two days ago.Traders alleged that inadequate deployment of security personnel has left several areas within the yard vulnerable. They also pointed out that although the traffic department and the market administration had taken steps two years ago to ease congestion outside the yard, the situation has deteriorated again."Vehicles are parked haphazardly, and there is heavy congestion outside the main entrance gate almost every day, but no action is being taken to address the problem," a trader said, requesting anonymity.Rajaram Dhondkar, secretary of APMC Pune, said the issue of rising thefts had been brought to the market committee's notice and was subsequently shared with the police department. "In most cases, copper cables of AC units and other equipment are stolen. It has been observed that in a majority of these cases, the suspects are minors," he said.Dhondkar added that a meeting was scheduled with traders on Monday to discuss the matter, but it had to be postponed to Thursday as APMC officials concerned had to rush to Mantralaya for the ongoing session."At present, we have 40 security personnel deployed in three shifts at the Market Yard. The traders' demand to increase the number of security staff is also under consideration," he said.