Russell market business hit due to road repairs: Traders

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

Here is an example of how the media and a few overenthusiastic traders can create a misunderstanding within the society. A private TV channel on Saturday claimed that the recent call to boycott Muslim vendors at village fairs and temples had affected footfalls in Russell Market.

A few other private TV channels also deputed their reporters to Russell Market. But the vendor, who had spoken to the first channel, made a U-Turn while speaking to other private TV channels. “I gave my opinion to a private TV channel on Friday evening. Our association has made it clear that I should not speak on behalf of the association. Now, I am stating that there is no loss of business due to the boycott call given by a few people,” said the vendor.

Meanwhile, Amzad Nawaj, a vegetable vendor, has said that drop in business was due to the closure of some hotels. According to sources, there are more than 500 shops at Russell Market and around 200 vendors from other communities are doing business at the market.

Many vendors have said that ongoing developmental works around the Russell Market have led to a decline in the number of visitors.

Appealing to the government to act tough against those spreading rumours and hatred among communities, Russell Market Traders’ Association general secretary Mohammed Idris Choudhary has said that a few fringe elements have been trying to create hatred among the communities.