Conflict Resolution: Pages from a Work Diary

Today, 23^rd January,  two shopkeepers at the Anta Ghat Hariyali Vegetable Market, Vijendra Kumar and Manish Kumar, got into a fight over placing their vegetables on a narrow strip alongside the road. The argument turned into a physical altercation.  Both men brought their supporters to beat up one another. Aashray Abhiyan team member Sudarshan happened to be near the spot, and alerted the senior HR member, Dilip Patel.

Vegetable market at Anta Ghat in the foreground are Sudarshan and Dilip

Upon receiving the information, Dilip Patel and other members of the Aashray Abhiyan, reached Anta Ghat, specifically to address the issue.  We managed to prevent the fight escalating further, by explaining and persuading both shopkeepers, namely Vijendra Kumar and Manish Kumar, after a lot of effort.

We told them, “We are working to unite and organize all the shopkeepers across Patna so that footpath vendors can get their rights and entitlements, and you people are becoming obstacles in our struggle by getting entangled in fights among yourselves. Such violent behaviour will only give the authorities a reason to label you people anti-social elements and drive you off. You must take care that your baskets and carts do not protrude out to cause obstructions to traffic.”

Team members discussion with the clashing vendors Vijendra and Manish

The two vendors ultimately agreed to settle their differences amicably and shook hands in the presence of the other vendors.  

Issues regarding vending cards and the rights of the vendors against arbitrary encroachment are actively being taken up by Aashray Abhiyan.  Advocate Prashant Kumar is pleading a case  in the Patna High Court through the Aashray Abhiyan.

[as reported by Sudarshan and Dilip Kumar]