C T Online Desk: Billal Hossain, a crockery and melamine trader from Dhaka, arrived in Chattogram last Wednesday to take part in the Boishakhi Mela.
The fair is held annually in the port city on the ocassion of Abdul Jabbarer Boli Khela, a historic wrestling competition. But by Thursday afternoon, Billal was still wandering the streets, unable to set up his stall.
“The fair started this morning but I could not set up my stall till now,” he said. “Police came last night and warned us not to set up stalls on the road. I have been participating in the fair for the past eight years but have never faced such a situation.”
Billal is not alone. Many traders were left frustrated after being barred from occupying their usual roadside spaces.
The Boishakhi Mela, which began yesterday by the Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city, saw vendors instead displaying their goods along the footpaths. Traders said this year they were not allowed to set up shops along the usual 1.5km road stretching from Anderkilla Intersection to Kotwali Intersection.
“The police are not allowing us to set up shops on the road this year,” said Mohammad Iskandar, a vendor from Fatikchhari upazila. “Police asked us to stay on footpaths so that vehicles can move freely on road.”
Echoing the concern, Mohammad Hanif from Chandanaish upazila said, “I’ve been participating in this fair for 15 years. This is the first time the administration is not allowing us to set up shops on the road.”
Contacted, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hadib Aziz confirmed the restrictions, saying, “We did not allow traders to set up stalls on the road for the sake of free movement of vehicles. Traders can set up stalls on one side of the footpaths upon permission from Chattogram City Corporation.”
Despite the setback, traders continued to showcase their goods, mostly handicrafts and household essentials. The turnout of visitors remained low yesterday afternoon due to the heat, though traders were hopeful the rush would pick up over the next two days.
Arati Saha, a resident of Jamal Khan area, was seen purchasing brooms. “The quality brooms are sold at a cheaper rate in the fair, so I buy them from here every year,” she said, pointing to a stall offering brooms for half-price to attract customers.
Md Mamun, a trader from Brahmanbaria, was selling pati (mats) at KC Dey Road on a 15 percent commission. “Sales are gaining momentum,” he said.
Shops selling wooden and metal kitchen tools, bamboo and cane items, tree saplings, and toys were also drawing attention. Other stalls featuring frying pans, rolling pins, jalchauki (low wooden seats), and pata (stone slabs for grinding spices), were bustling with visitors.
The fair, steeped in over a century of history, is organised by the Abdul Jabbar Smriti Wrestling Competition and Boishakhi Mela Celebration Parishad.
The wrestling competition will begin at 3:00pm this afternoon.
Initiated by Abdul Jabbar Saudagar of Badarpati in 1909, the boli khela (traditional wrestling) event aimed to prepare the youth for the anti-British movement through physical fitness.
Shawkat Anwar Badal, general secretary of the organising committee, told The Daily Star that registration for the 116th edition of Jabbarer Boli Khela has been completed. A total of 147 wrestlers have registered, including national-level competitors. He expressed hope that this year’s event will be particularly captivating.
Additionally, last year’s semi-finalists Bagha Sharif, Russell, Rashed, and Srijon Chakma have confirmed their participation.
Rubel Chakma, another participant, who has made a name for himself by winning several tournaments, will also be competing.
