A mafia has been reportedly operating at Chur Chowk Ramadan Sasta Bazaar and charging Rs 50 from each stallholder in the name of security and sanitation.
Stallholders at the bazaar have complained that a group of people remain active throughout the day and visit each stall and demand Rs 50 on account of service charges despite clear directives from the Punjab Chief Minister that all facilities provided at Ramadan Bazaars will be free of charge.
They also complained about stealing of commodities allegedly by the staff concerned at the bazaar. They said that a lack of check and balance by the concerned authorities has led to such activities taking place.
Mohammad Waqas Abbasi, a fruit stallholder alleged that four crates of mangoes were stolen from his stall in the first week of the commencement of the bazaar. He said that all attempts made by him to lodge a complaint went fruitless.
Another stallholder, Shoaib Bin Mushtaq Butt, made similar allegations against the staff of Sasta Bazaar. He alleged that he found some cartons of cooking oil missing from his stall. Around 200 stalls have been set up at the Chur Chowk Bazaar. Reportedly the mafia has so far collected over Rs 130,000 from the stallholders.
District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Mehmood Gondal and Assistant Commissioner Cantt Nadia Suddhan were not available for comments.