Authorities in Varanasi recently closed the decades-old Binya Bagh Bhakra market ahead of Eid al-Adha after complaints of overcrowding and poor sanitation, sparking discontent among goat traders.
Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal said the permission granted to the goat market, which generally opens about a week before Bakrid, was canceled following an inspection after Nagar Nigam received complaints of overcrowding and poor sanitation conditions.
Read also: Security tightened across India amid Eid al-Adha celebrations
Municipal officials said that last Friday, goat traders were directed to vacate the building within three days. However, as traders did not comply with the order, the market was evacuated and closed on Monday with the help of police.
The action taken by the civic body drew sharp criticism from goat traders, who said that the market has been known throughout Uttar Pradesh for nearly four decades.
Also Read: 3,000 policemen deployed across Gurugram district for Eid ul Azha celebrations smoothly
According to traders, it opens about a week before Eid al-Azha and attracts vendors from several districts of Purvanchal, including Ghazipur, Mau, Jaunpur and Gorakhpur.
Traders said closing the market just before the festival was unfair, and asked where they should go to sell their goats on such short notice.
