Pune: Over 40 persons including Fattehchand Ranka, President of Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP) were booked by the police for allegedly causing a violation of law by protesting on Thursday. The protests were held amid the curbs enforced by the government to keep shops with non-essential services closed till April 30 due to sharp rise in the spread of COVID 19 cases.

According to the members of FTAP, "We wrote a letter to CM and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and conveyed our demand to permit us to reopen non-essential shops. We are ready to follow all protocols." Traders on protested against these restrictions by setting up a human chain on the Laxmi Road.

On the other side, hospitality associations organised silent protests, under the aegis of the United Hospitality Forum of Maharashtra, against the state government's decision.

The protest consisting of shop owners, traders came to streets on Thursday. Police stated they have booked over 40 in this case for allegedly violating of orders passed by the government restricting gathering of people to restrict the further spread of contagion. An offence in this regard has been filed at the Vishrambag Police Station.

The Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP) late on Thursday night decided to suspend its decision to reopen non-essential shops on Friday. Members of the association said they would open the shops on Monday if no breakthrough is arrived at in the next few days.

The city on Thursday witnessed 5,651 fresh coronavirus cases taking the progressive count to 3,05,372. The city also reported 41 fatalities in 24 hours taking the death total to 5,736.

Meanwhile, Pune has imposed a strict restrictions to curtail the further spread of the virus. The city will also see the weekend lockdown from Friday night. The weekend lockdown will witness closure of all shops except those delivering essential commodities.

SHOPS WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY

The Federation of Trade Association of Pune now have decided to halt its decision to reopen non-essential shops on Friday. Members of the association stated they will open the shops on Monday if no concrete decision is made in next few days.

Traders while opposing a decision on mini-lockdown wearing black bands held protests on Laxmi Road condemning the state government’s order to keep non-essential shops shut.