‘None supported us during last shutdown, want to keep shops open’
Shop owners and employees of New Market and other nearby shopping malls today demonstrated against the directive to keep shops closed -- as part of the government's seven-day restrictions beginning tomorrow.
Several hundred owners and employees of shops took to the street this afternoon and shouted slogans against the decision.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Traffic movement in the area came to a halt following the protest.
Protestors urged the authorities concerned to allow them to keep the shops open, maintaining health guidelines.
Sohel Rana, who works at New Market, said, "Our main demand is to keep the markets open for some hours as our families depend on our income. If shops are closed, our livelihoods will be uncertain. We want to run shops maintaining health guidelines."
"We suffered a lot during last shutdown but no one supported us. We will not comply with the government order. We will continue our protest until our demands are met," said a shop employee at Chandirma Super Market.
Contacted, a duty officer of New Market Police Station said senior police officials rushed to the spot after traders started the demonstration.
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