Ahead of Bakrid, livestock traders moved to Sirsi Circle, traffic flow affected

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Sheep and goat sellers were on Wednesday asked by the police to relocate from Chamarajpet Eidgah maidan to Sirsi Circle, which is now affecting the traffic movement in the area. The livestock traders have now been camping on the wide divider under the flyover near Sirsi Circle on Mysore Road. Some of the traders and their sheep spill over on the streets, disrupting traffic.

They plan on remaining there until Bakr Eid, which is on Sunday. Moreover, traffic police seem to have given them permission informally to sell the animals. The animal sellers said that they were asked to move following altercations with some customers.

However, police officials insisted that the relocation was a yearly affair, adding that they ask the livestock traders to move a couple of days before Eid, so that the grounds can be cleaned before the prayers on the day of the festival.

Naveen and Lakshmikant, who came from Sira town to the city to sell sheep, said that some customers argued with them and even tried to take away some of their animals. “Some miscreants started arguing with us and claiming that the prices of our animals were too high,” Naveen said. “They had even taken away three of our sheep. Police intervened and got our animals back,” Lakshmikant said.

On the other hand, Chamarajpet Police Station House Officer (SHO) Yeriswami E, claimed that no major incident had taken place at the Eidgah maidan. “It is an animal market and there will be disagreements between sellers and customers. They’ve been asked to move because the Eidgah maidan requires cleaning before the prayers. No case has been registered,” he said.

Rajanna, also from Sira, confirmed that there were issues between livestock traders and customers. “We’ve been here for a week and we’ve been trying to move our sheep. There had been some disturbance and arguing, following which we were asked to move,” he said. Moreover, commuters said that they didn’t mind the traffic slowing down since it was only a two to three day affair.

Absar, who lives in Goripalya, said that the animal market at the spot was a normal affair before Bakr Eid.“It is a normal thing before Eid. It is a minor problem. We’ll adjust,” he said

. Ramesh, who transported sheep from Sithakal village near Tumakuru city, said the animal market was there for purposes bigger than traffic disruption. “I don’t think the traffic is a major issue because the livelihood of farmers is a bigger matter. One hopes they make a good profit from selling their sheep. Also, one hopes that our Muslim brothers are able to buy the sheep and celebrate their festival well,” he said.