Traders attack Reliance outlets
Traders and vegetable vendors on Saturday vandalised three of the five Reliance Fresh food outlets in the first such attack on a modern retail chain by those feeling threatened by it.
Around 200 people barged into the stores, which sell grocery, fruits and vegetables, and smashed glass panes and pulled down the shelves as Reliance Fresh staff ran for cover. A retail outlet at Lalupur Chowk became the first target, followed by one near Tagore hill and another near the Plaza cinema.
City Superintendent of Police Richard Lakra said that the protesters pelted the stores with stones, injuring a constable when the police tried to stop them near the Tagore hill shop and also attacked and damaged passing vehicles. Reliance Retail officials, however, declined to comment. The police had to use ‘mild force’ to quell the mob as it began looting the shops, Lakra said. According to unofficial reports half-a-dozen people were injured in the police action.
