The fire claimed six lives and resulted in heavy financial loss. The association plans to perform a puja at the premises commemorating those who lost their lives in the accident. [break]
The symbolic protest is aimed at drawing the government´s attention towards another looming disaster as the building, where hundreds of sellers and buyers assemble every day, has been labeled as “extremely risky” by technicians, according to Ujjwal Karki, president of the association.
“We see the day as a black day and have decided to shut down the market to put pressure on the government. As it is the death anniversary of the victims, a puja will be performed for the peace of the departed soul,” Karki said.
Along with the loss of human lives, the fire, which broke out at around midnight on the main building of the market on March 2, 2012, had destroyed property worth millions of rupees.
It took five fire engines almost two hours to bring the fire under control. The fire was reportedly triggered by a short circuit.
Karki said that around 300 to 400 vegetable and fruit wholesalers and hundreds of customers assemble at the market every day near the same building which is prone to another disaster, according to technicians. “The building might collapse at anytime,” said one of them.
According to Karki, the association tried to draw the attention of the government several times regarding the issue. “We even met the prime minister sic months ago and submitted a memorandum. Despite his assurance for immediate action, nothing has happened,” he said. “We are going to organize nationwide shutdown of vegetable market in near future if the government remains indifferent to our demand.”
Meanwhile, Bishnu Prasad Sharma, executive director of the market, said that the authority has been working to address their demands.
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