There's too much mamool at stake for the cops to close down Bangalore's heritage flea market
There's too much mamool at stake for the cops to close down Bangalore's heritage flea market
A top policeman announced two weeks ago that Bangalore's heritage Sunday Bazaar would be closed, but not many in his department are ready to take orders from him to close it.
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According to an estimate, the police pocket Rs 1.5 lakh every Sunday, and the booty is divided equally among three police stations: K R Market, Chickpet, and Cottonpet.
Busy time
When MiDDAY visited the spot yesterday, plainclothes and uniformed policemen were busy collecting money from the traders.
One of the constables said he was just taking petty cash from a trader-friend. The trader endorsed him with a grin.
Over 1,200 traders are registered with the Sunday Bazaar Traders Association and more that 500 unregistered traders sell their wares at the second hand market every Sunday.
An unwritten rule is that the traders give what is called 'Sunday collection' to the policemen, in addition to what they pay the association (Rs 50 each).
The spot collection for the policemen ranges from Rs 20 to Rs 2,000, depending on what a trader sells.
For instance, Selvam, who sells electronic goods, DVD players and computer parts, has to shell out Rs 2,000, while Aslam, who sells scrap steel items, pays just Rs 20.
Each station makes Rs 2 lakh
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Cheap: A mixie costs Rs 300 at Sunday Bazaar. At the showroom across the road, a similar mixie costs Rs 2,600 pics\Vinod Kumar T |
That is Rs 6 lakh a month, and when divided, each police station makes Rs 2 lakh.
"I can't say we are not paying anything, as you know nothing works in this world without money," said Akram Pasha, president, Sunday Bazaar Traders Association. "But we are not complaining."
He hoped the Sunday Bazaar would survive as many leaders, including Zameer Ahmed Khan and Dinesh Gundu Rao were fighting for the poor traders.
"Our leaders have talked to them, and nobody created trouble for us today," said Pasha. "I think this will continue."
Station resistance
A police source confirmed the internal resistance against the decision to close down the Bazaar.
"Tell me who will support this?" he said. "If somebody suddenly asks you to forgo you steady income, would you? Nobody in our station is happy over the decision."
Official denial
Shankar Bidari, city police commissioner, refuted the allegation.
However he hinted his men were not in a hurry to close the Bazaar. "It is still atu00a0 the DCP's level, and I have yet to receive the proposal."
But, Shivakumar, deputy commissioner of police, who had announced the Bazaar would be closed, said he had forwarded the proposal to the commissioner and it was up to him to take a call.
Metro factor
The police may not shut down Sunday Bazaar, but the Metro will definitely affect traders.
"We will have to give up some space for the Metrou2026 that is inevitable," said Pasha, who heads an organisation of traders. " But, nobody is buying the police argument that the bazaar must be closed because choppers and knives are available here."
No arms were on sale yesterday. "Till two weeks ago they were all over the place, but they have now vanished," said a customer. "And it is good to see that."
Cheap, but not the best
Name it and you can buy it at the Sunday Bazaar. And stuff is dirt-cheap.
Kareem was selling a second hand mixie right in front of an authorised showroom. You could buy a three-jar Kanchan mixie for just Rs 300 from him, while the price of the genuine product is Rs 2,600.
Kareem gives a verbal six-month guarantee, while the dealer offers you a one-year warranty.
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