Small traders demonstrate in Rajshahi to keep shops open

Small traders in Rajshahi demonstrated this morning when a mobile court asked them to close their shops, as per government-imposed restrictions to rein in the rising number of Covid-19 cases and deaths.

Many traders and their employees opened shops this morning at the RDA Market, in the heart of the city, on the third day of the seven-day "lockdown," reports our staff correspondent.

When a mobile court team reached there around 11am and asked them to close their shops, the traders started demonstrating on a road in front of the market. They were lying on the ground in protest, said witnesses. 

The traders went to their respective shops after the mobile court left the place, added the witnesses.

However, the mobile court is yet to make any comment in this regard.

Rajshahi clothing material traders' association president Ashok Sharker told our Rajshahi staff correspondent that a few shops remain open in the city. They are doing business, maintaining health guidelines.

Earlier, traders in Rajshahi demanded exclusion of small businesses from the "lockdown" after the government announced weeklong restriction.