According to reports, shop owners in the New Market area entered into a verbal altercation with a section of hawkers over parking of vehicles and stockpiling of garments on pavements. One of the shop owners alleged that he was beaten up by one of the hawkers. As a result, members of both sides exchanged heated arguments which turned into a scuffle.

The incident took place when the police were carrying out an eviction drive, asking hawkers to remove encroachments from the pavements.

Later, a large number of hawkers and show owners demonstrated outside the New Market police station, demanding action against each other. They also blocked the busy SN Banerjee Road to mark their protest. The protest continued for about an hour.

Later, more policemen were called in and they removed the road blockade and dispersed the mob from the area.

“So far we have not received any complaint either from the shop owners or from hawkers. If we get any complaint, action will be taken as per law. Right now the situation is normal and under control,” Indira Mukherjee, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division Kolkata), who was at the spot, said.